Ceylon vs Assam vs Darjeeling: What's the Difference?
Share
Ceylon, Assam and Darjeeling are the three most famous black teas in the world. They're all delicious, but they taste quite different. Here's a quick guide to telling them apart.
Assam (India)
Bold, malty and full-bodied with a deep amber cup. Assam is the classic strong “breakfast” tea that takes milk and sugar well.
Darjeeling (India)
Light, floral and delicate — often called the “champagne of teas.” Best enjoyed plain to appreciate its muscatel character.
Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
The all-rounder: bright, brisk and clean, with a balance of strength and flavour. Ceylon works beautifully both plain and with milk, and its grade range is enormous — from bold BOPF to refined Orange Pekoe.
Which should you choose?
Want maximum strength with milk? Assam or Ceylon BOPF. Want something elegant and plain? Darjeeling or Ceylon OP. Want one versatile tea for every occasion? Ceylon. Look for the Sri Lanka Tea Board's Lion Logo to be sure you're getting authentic, single-origin Ceylon.