Brewing tea should feel enjoyable, not intimidating. Yet many people hesitate when they hear words like temperature, steeping time or leaf grade, worrying that they’ll get it wrong.
The truth is simple: Assam tea is forgiving. It’s robust, expressive, and designed to be brewed in real kitchens, with real kettles and not lab equipment.
This guide explains how to brew Assam tea properly and simply, whether you prefer black tea, green tea or masala chai, without overthinking it. Along the way, we’ll show how small adjustments can help you get the best from each style, while still keeping things relaxed and intuitive.
If you’d like a deeper understanding of where Assam tea comes from and what makes it so distinctive, our Ultimate Guide to Assam Tea explores the region, plant variety and craftsmanship behind every cup.
A Quick Word Before You Start
You do not need:
- a thermometer
- a scale
- a stopwatch
You do need:
- freshly boiled water
- decent tea
- a willingness to adjust based on taste
Tea is not about perfection. It’s about preference.
Brewing Assam Black Tea
Assam black tea is known for its strength, depth and ability to stand up to milk. This makes it one of the easiest teas to brew well.
At Dehing Tea, we currently offer CTC Assam black tea, commonly used for breakfast teas and masala chai.
However, it’s useful to understand how brewing differs between CTC and orthodox Assam, as many drinkers encounter both.
If you’d like a deeper explanation of how these two styles differ, our article on Orthodox vs CTC tea explores the processing in detail.
CTC Assam Black Tea
CTC tea is made from small, broken leaf particles that release flavour quickly.
This means:
- faster brewing
- bolder flavour
- more tolerance for milk
How to brew it
Use roughly one teaspoon per cup. Pour over freshly boiled water and let it brew for around three to four minutes.
If you like your tea with milk, let it brew a little longer before adding milk. If you prefer it black, taste it at around two minutes and adjust from there.
CTC tea is forgiving. If it steeps a little too long, it won’t collapse into bitterness the way some delicate teas do.
For specific guidance, explore our Assam Black Tea product page which provides tailored brewing suggestions based on the exact leaf style.
Orthodox Assam Black Tea (For Reference)
Orthodox Assam tea uses larger, more intact leaves and behaves slightly differently in the cup.
It brews more slowly and benefits from:
- slightly less leaf
- a little more patience
Start with one teaspoon per cup and freshly boiled water. Brew for three to five minutes depending on strength preference. Orthodox Assam is often enjoyed without milk, allowing its malt, honey and subtle sweetness to shine.
Even though Dehing Tea does not currently offer an orthodox Assam, understanding this style helps explain why Assam teas can vary so widely in character.
Brewing Assam Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey occupies a unique place in the world of black tea. While traditionally associated with citrus aroma, the quality of the base tea is what ultimately determines balance and depth in the cup.
Loose Leaf Assam Earl Grey Tea
At Dehing Tea, our Earl Grey tea is crafted using whole leaf orthodox Assam black tea, infused with natural bergamot oil and a touch of lavender. The orthodox leaf structure allows the tea to retain its integrity, resulting in a brew that is fragrant yet grounded, with the citrus lifting the maltiness of the Assam rather than overpowering it.
For loose leaf Earl Grey, use one teaspoon per cup and freshly boiled water. Brew for around three to four minutes, depending on how pronounced you prefer the bergamot to be. The tea can be enjoyed plain, where its floral and citrus notes are most expressive, or with a splash of milk for a more traditional style.
Assam Earl Grey Tea Bags
Our Earl Grey is also available in tea bag format for added convenience. This offers a quicker, more consistent brew while still delivering the characteristic brightness and smooth finish that define a well-made Earl Grey.
Brewing Assam Green Tea
Green tea often gets a reputation for being “tricky,” but this usually comes from people over-brewing it rather than doing anything wrong.
Assam green tea is gently steamed to stop oxidation, preserving freshness and softness. Because of this, it prefers slightly cooler water, but don’t worry, you don’t need to measure anything.
Here’s the practical approach: Boil your kettle, then let it sit for a minute before pouring. That’s it.
Loose Leaf Assam Green Tea
Use one teaspoon of loose leaf per cup and brew for two to three minutes. Taste it. If you want more body, brew slightly longer next time. If it tastes sharp or grassy, shorten the steep.
Assam green tea should taste smooth, clean and refreshing; never bitter.
For precise recommendations, refer to the brewing instructions on the Dehing Green Tea product page, which reflect the way our tea is processed at our estate-run factory.
If you’re curious about why green tea behaves so differently from black tea, our guide on the difference between green tea and black tea explains how oxidation shapes flavour and brewing behaviour.
Assam Green Tea in Tea Bags
For those who prefer convenience without sacrificing quality, our Assam green tea is also available in biodegradable tea bags. These are filled with carefully selected whole leaf tea and offer a convenient and consistent brew for everyday drinking.
Tea bags are ideal if you want a quick cup at work or at home, while still enjoying the smooth, fresh character and health benefits of Assam green tea. The same principles apply: avoid over-steeping, taste as you go, and adjust to your preference.
Brewing Masala Chai
Masala chai is not meant to be delicate. It’s meant to be warming, bold and deeply satisfying.
At Dehing Tea, our masala chai is made with CTC Assam black tea and whole spices, which makes it ideal for stovetop brewing.
The traditional approach
- In a saucepan, boil half a cup of water.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons of Dehing Masala Chai tea and simmer for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring.
- Add one cup of milk and simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until it reaches your desired strength and flavour.
- Adjust sweetness to taste, if desired.
- Strain into your teacup or mug and enjoy!
The important note here is that there is no single correct recipe. Some people use more milk, others more water. Some simmer for two minutes, others for five.
Chai is about rhythm and instinct, not rules.
Adjusting Strength Without Fear
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that strength comes from precision.
In reality, strength comes from:
- using more or less leaf
- brewing a little longer or shorter
- adding milk or not
Assam tea is designed to respond well to adjustment. That’s part of its appeal.
If you’re unsure, start lighter. You can always brew stronger next time.
If you’re interested in how strength, body and caffeine relate specifically to Assam, our article Is Assam Tea Stronger Than Other Black Teas? explores this question in depth.
Brewing Should Feel Natural
Tea has been brewed for centuries without thermometers, timers or instruction manuals. The goal is not to get it “right,” but to find what you enjoy.
Assam tea rewards experimentation. Whether you’re brewing a strong morning cup, a smooth green tea in the afternoon, or a spiced chai in the evening, the leaf is doing most of the work for you.
To explore the full story of Assam tea, from garden to cup, return to our Ultimate Guide to Assam Tea, where the region’s landscape, heritage and craftsmanship come together.