Assam Tea

Item: Assam tea.

Location: My Apartment in DC (Bought at Planta Maestra in Santiago)

Comments: While I was in Santiago, it was recommended to me that I try a type of black tea called Assam (named for the Indian region it comes from, similar to other teas like Darjeeling), specifically for its grounding properties.  I had never heard of Assam but I found it pretty easily at a great little vegan market called Planta Maestra.  The first time I tried it, I was amazed.  It was definitely a black tea but quite different from your typical English Breakfast variety.  In addition to the obviously physical, it has a very warming effect, emotionally and spiritually.  I generally steep it for about four minutes.  (With my old tea bottle, I knew it was fully steeped and ready to be deliciously sipped when I could feel the just-hot-enough temperature from the outside of the bottle with my hand.)  I haven't been drinking as much black tea in the last few months (though that has been changing lately) but I plan to add more Assam back into my rou-tea-n!  (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)