Assam Tea by liminowl on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

FINALLY another tea! Sorry for the tea hiatus but I had to get over a fear of digital inking and fabric drapery. I still don't think I've improved much but I'm satisfied with this one.

I really enjoyed Assam tea. Really reminded me of Harney & Sons' Paris Black blend--malty, caramelly, sweet. Someone online has described it as having a sweet biscuit flavor, and I totally agree. So tasty with milk. Another new favorite! Recently I enjoyed a nice tall cup of Assam with honey and half-and-half, doing schoolwork with that and a hefty slice of carrot bread. Life's small pleasures...

Anyways, one interesting fact about Assam is that, like Darjeeling, it's a black tea made in India that is distinguished by the region in which it is grown. It's actually made in the Assam region, which is the world's largest tea-growing region, according to Wikipedia! The moisture of the region is what gives the tea its characteristic malty flavor!

The costume here is influenced by pictures I have encountered through Google of ladies performing the Bihu dance, which is apparently one of the Assam region's most popular traditional dances. The fabrics tend to be reds and golds (the region is famous for gold silk?), with rich patterns. I was unable to reproduce these patterns; still learning!!! But the blue and red was just a personal whim.

CHECK OUT ALL MY TEA ILLUSTRATIONS ON DEVIANTART OR ON TUMBLR.