Orthodox Tea — Timeless Twists Collection

Slow-oxidised, whole-leaf orthodox black tea from a single Assam estate — golden-tipped, naturally curled, and never machine-cut. Malty, full-bodied, and rich with the character of the Brahmaputra flood plains. No broken dust. No fannings. No shortcuts. Just the leaf, given the time it deserves.

A Hundred Years of Assam

Nestled in the fertile flood plains of the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam is one of the largest and most celebrated tea-growing regions on earth. Heavy rainfall, intense humidity and the mineral-rich alluvial soil deposited annually by the river create ideal conditions for Camellia sinensis var. assamica — the large-leafed, robust tea plant native to this land.

What the Industry Got Wrong

The Indian tea industry largely abandoned orthodox processing in the mid-20th century in favour of CTC — a mechanical process that produces uniform, fast-brewing dust designed for tea bags. CTC tea is efficient. It is not extraordinary. The layered character of a properly made whole-leaf orthodox Assam is entirely absent from a CTC product.

What Orthodox Processing Means

• Selective hand-plucking — only whole leaves and golden-tipped buds: two leaves and a bud.
• Withering — leaves lose 50–60% of their moisture over 12–18 hours on long troughs.
• Rolling — gentle, repeated rolling in cylindrical orthodox rollers releases enzymes and essential oils and gives the leaf its twist.
• Slow oxidation — 2–4 hours in a cool, humidified room, managed by experienced tea masters. This is what develops Assam's malty character.
• Firing — the process is arrested at precisely the right moment and moisture reduced below 3%.
• Sorting and grading — hand and sieve sorted into whole-leaf grades only; broken leaves and dust are separated out.
• Testing and packing — sealed in aroma-preserving pouches immediately after grading.

Key Attributes

• Origin: Single estate, Assam — Brahmaputra flood plains
• Flavour Profile: Malty, full-bodied, bright amber liquor
• Leaf Type: Whole leaves, naturally curled — golden tips preserved
• Processing: Orthodox — withered, rolled, slow-oxidised, fired
• Broken dust / fannings: None — whole leaf only
• Additives: None — 100% natural, no preservatives
• Net Weight: 250g (approx. 125 servings)

Vitality Benefits

• Theaflavins & thearubigins — the antioxidant polyphenols developed during slow oxidation, present at higher concentrations than in CTC or dust teas.
• Cardiovascular support — theaflavins support healthy LDL levels, endothelial function and platelet balance.
• Gut health & microbiome — theaflavins and gallic acid act as prebiotics; unbroken leaf releases them gradually.
• Mental alertness — 40–70mg caffeine per serving delivered alongside L-theanine for sustained alertness without the crash.
• Immune & antimicrobial support — tannins and theaflavins have documented antimicrobial and antiviral activity in laboratory studies.
• Bone health — habitual tea drinkers consistently show higher bone mineral density in long-term studies.

Brewing Guide

• Water: fresh and filtered, brought to a full rolling boil at 95–98°C. Assam orthodox needs near-boiling water to release its malt.
• Quantity: 2g per 200ml — approximately one heaped teaspoon.
• Steep: 3–4 minutes for a balanced cup; 2 minutes for lighter; 5 minutes for a strong cup suited to milk.
• Taste it black first — the complexity of a well-made Assam orthodox is best experienced without milk on the first cup.
• Re-steep: the same leaves brew a second time, producing a softer, sweeter cup with less tannin.
• With milk: increase to 2.5–3g per 200ml, steep 4–5 minutes, and add warm whole milk to taste.

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tsp / 2g)

• Energy 2 kcal · Total Fat 0g · Carbohydrates 0.5g · Protein 0g · Sodium 0mg
• Caffeine 40–70mg · L-Theanine approx. 25mg
• Theaflavins, thearubigins and polyphenols naturally present

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture and strong odours. Orthodox whole leaf is highly absorbent of ambient aromas — keep sealed in the original pouch or an airtight container, and do not store near spices, coffee or cooking areas. Best consumed within 24 months of packaging.

Manufacturer & Regulatory Details

Brand: ANAVRI · Marketed & Packed by ANAVRI FOODS, Sundarpur, Biswanath, Assam 784176 · Country of Origin: India · care@anavri.com · www.anavri.com · +91 9706440054