Bihar Black Tea from India

This autumn harvest from Bihar steeps to a coppery orange liquor with satisfying depth and full flavor. Sweet, smooth, and malty with notes of brown sugar, caramel, honey, and a touch of spice. There's woody character in the background and a milky sweetness throughout. A hint of astringency provides structure. The body has good depth without being heavy. This is the kind of straightforward, well-made tea that doesn't need milk but could certainly take it if you steep it a bit stronger. It's not fancy, but it's a tea we thoroughly enjoy and really hits the spot.

Bihar's orthodox tea production represents a recent development among small growers in the state. While Bihar began producing tea commercially in the 1990s, most production has traditionally been CTC for the domestic market. In recent years, however, some small-scale producers have begun making orthodox teas, moving beyond bulk production to craft more expressive, whole-leaf styles. These producers are part of a broader shift happening across India, where small growers in emerging regions are experimenting with quality-focused processing. For those exploring Indian black teas beyond the well-known regions, Bihar's orthodox production offers solid, malty character from an area that's still finding its voice in the specialty tea world.

2024 autumn harvest