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[[File:Plucking tea in a tea garden of Assam.jpg|250px|right|thumb|A teaworker plucking tea leaves in a tea garden of Assam]]

[[File:Plucking tea in a tea garden of Assam.jpg|right|thumb|A teaworker plucking tea leaves in a tea garden of Assam]]

'''Assam tea''' (অসম, आसाम, and also असम) is a [[black tea]] named after the region of its production, Assam, in India.  Assam tea (অসমীয়া চাহ, असमिया चाय) is manufactured from the [[Assam|''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''assamica'']]. This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea level, is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Assam teas, or blends containing Assam, are often sold as "breakfast" teas. [[Irish breakfast tea]] for instance, is a maltier and stronger blend among the breakfast blends.

'''Assam tea''' (অসম, आसाम, and also असम) is a [[black tea]] named after the region of its production, Assam, in India.  Assam tea (অসমীয়া চাহ, असमिया चाय) is manufactured from the [[Assam|''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''assamica'']]. This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea level, is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Assam teas, or blends containing Assam, are often sold as "breakfast" teas. [[Irish breakfast tea]] for instance, is a maltier and stronger blend among the breakfast blends.

==Introduction to the West ==

==Introduction to the West ==

[[Image:Assam.jpg|thumb|220px|This 1850 engraving shows the different stages in the process of making tea in Assam.]]

[[Image:Assam.jpg|thumb|This 1850 engraving shows the different stages in the process of making tea in Assam.]]

[[File:Assam tea.jpg|thumb|200px|A cup of Assam milk tea.]]

[[File:Assam tea.jpg|thumb|200px|A cup of Assam milk tea.]]

==Sales in the United Kingdom==

==Sales in the United Kingdom==

[[File:AssamTea.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A box of Assam tea]]

[[File:AssamTea.jpg|thumb|left|A box of Assam tea]]

The intervention of the English East India Committee was released through a body of 'experts' constituting the Tea Committee (1834) to assess the scientific nature and commercial potential of Assam tea. The adherence of the members of the committee to the Chinese ideal (in terms of the plant and the method of manufacture) led to the importation of Chinese tea makers and Chinese tea seeds to displace the "wild" plant and methods obtained in Assam. After a period, however, a hybridized version of the Chinese and Assam tea plants proved to be more successful in the Assam climate and terrain.

The intervention of the English East India Committee was released through a body of 'experts' constituting the Tea Committee (1834) to assess the scientific nature and commercial potential of Assam tea. The adherence of the members of the committee to the Chinese ideal (in terms of the plant and the method of manufacture) led to the importation of Chinese tea makers and Chinese tea seeds to displace the "wild" plant and methods obtained in Assam. After a period, however, a hybridized version of the Chinese and Assam tea plants proved to be more successful in the Assam climate and terrain.