Assam CTC BOP Hatimara Black Tea
A strong, malty black tea from a single estate in Upper Assam. Made for the cup you drink every morning: bold on its own, rich with milk, and the classic base for karak.
Where it comes from
| Type | Black tea |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hatimara Tea Estate, Tinsukia district, Upper Assam, India |
| Altitude | Approx. 100–130 m, Brahmaputra valley floor |
| Grade | CTC BOP |
| Caffeine | Medium-high: about 40–60 mg per 200 ml cup |
| Ingredients | 100% black tea |
| Sizes | 50g, 100g, 250g |
The garden
Hatimara sits in Tinsukia, in the far north-east of Assam, where the hot, humid summers and heavy monsoon rains of the Brahmaputra valley grow the strong, malty tea Assam is famous for. It is one of very few estates planted entirely with clonal bushes: plants grown from cuttings of the garden's best-performing tea plants, so every bush shares the same quality.
The estate also has its own factory, so leaf goes from bush to finished tea without leaving the garden. Most of Hatimara's tea is sold to buyers in Europe, which makes it a rare find here in the UAE.
What the grade means
CTC
Crush, Tear, Curl
Instead of being rolled whole, the leaves are passed through rollers that crush, tear and curl them into small, hard granules. More of each leaf is exposed to the water, so the tea brews fast and gives a dark, strong cup in just a few minutes.
BOP
Broken Orange Pekoe
A broken-leaf grade. "Orange Pekoe" is the traditional name for good-quality leaf; "Broken" means the leaf has been broken into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces mean a fuller, bolder infusion.
Why it matters
Built for strength
CTC BOP does not need a long steep to taste of something, and it stays full-flavoured even with lots of milk and sugar.
How it tastes
Strong, rich and malty
This is a tea with presence. The small granules release their flavour quickly, giving a dark, robust cup with the malty depth Assam is known for.
It holds its own against milk and sugar, so your tea never tastes thin.
Choose this if you like your tea bold and wake-up strong. If you prefer something lighter and more delicate, see How it compares.
| Tasting notes | |
|---|---|
| AROMA Warm, malty, a little like toasted bread | FLAVOUR Malt and dark honey, with a hint of cocoa |
| LIQUOR COLOUR Deep reddish-brown; turns a rich caramel colour with milk | ASTRINGENCY Brisk: a firm, drying grip that cuts through milk |
| BODY Full and heavy | FINISH Long and malty, slightly dry |
Brew It In Three Steps
Measure
Add 1 teaspoon (2.5 g) for each 200 ml cup. That is about 1.25 g per 100 ml.
Pour
Add 200ml of water heated to 95-98°C, just off the boil.
Steep
Wait 2-3 minutes, then strain. Add milk or sugar if you like.
Infusions: 1
CTC gives almost all its flavour in the first steep, so use fresh leaf for each pot.
Quick tip
Prefer it stronger? Add a little more tea rather than steeping longer, so the cup stays rich without turning bitter.
Make karak at home
This is what Assam CTC was made for. Its granules release flavour fast and stand up to boiling, so you get a deep, creamy karak that never tastes watery.
For 2 cups
| Method
|
Masala chai: add 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 cloves, a slice of ginger and 2 black peppercorns with the cardamom in step 1.
Iced
Quick iced tea
Brew 5 g in 200 ml hot water for 3 minutes (double strength), then pour over a glass full of ice. Add lemon and a little sugar or honey.
Cold brew
8 g in 1 litre of cold water, in the fridge for 8–10 hours, then strain. Smoother and less astringent than hot-brewed.
Iced karak
Make karak as above, let it cool, and pour over ice.
When to drink it
Afternoon
Karak break
Morning
A strong start
Food pairings
Chebab or regag bread, khameer, balaleet
Luqaimat, date cake, ginger or chocolate biscuits
Shakshuka, scrambled eggs, buttered toast
Samosas, cheese paratha, egg sandwiches
Strong, malty tea with milk loves rich, sweet and buttery food. The astringency cleans your palate between bites.
How it compares
Assam CTC BOP Hatimara | English Breakfast | Golden Nepal FTGFOP1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Single estate, Assam, India | Blend of Assam teas, India | Nepal |
| Leaf | Small CTC granules | Rolled leaf, broken and whole-leaf grades | Whole leaf with golden tips |
| Strength | ●●●●● | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ |
| Taste | Malty, bold, brisk | Malty, warm honey, slight woody tartness | Smooth, honeyed, lightly fruity |
| With milk | Excellent | Very good | Best without |
| For karak | Best choice | Works, milder | Not recommended |
| Choose it if… | You want the strongest cup and the best karak | You want a classic everyday cuppa | You want something lighter and more delicate |
FAQs
Yes. A 200 ml cup has about 40–60 mg, roughly half a cup of filter coffee. Karak, which is boiled for longer, will have a little more.
Yes, it is one of the best teas for it. CTC granules release flavour quickly and stand up to boiling with milk, so your karak stays strong and creamy. See our karak recipe above.
Yes. Its strong, full body is made for milk and sugar.
Unopened, see the best-before date on the pack. Once opened, enjoy it within 3–6 months for the best flavour. The tea will not go off after that, but it slowly loses its strength and aroma.
In an airtight container, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells such as spices or coffee. Do not keep it in the fridge, because it can absorb moisture and odours.
At about 2.5 g a cup, 50g makes roughly 20 cups, 100g roughly 40 and 250g roughly 100. Karak uses a little more tea, so expect fewer cups. Start with 50g to try it, or choose a larger pack if black tea is your daily drink.
In Dubai, orders placed before 2 PM arrive the same day. In the other emirates, orders before 1 PM arrive the next day. GCC orders take 3–10 days. Busy periods can add a few days, and we keep you updated.
UAE: AED 20, free on orders over AED 200. GCC: AED 55, free on orders over AED 500.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 3 days of delivery. If an item arrives damaged or faulty, contact us within 90 days.
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Delivery in Dubai and other UAE Emirates
Delivery Cost: AED 20 for orders up to AED 200
Free delivery for orders over AED 200
Delivery Times
Dubai
• Orders placed before 2:00 PM are delivered the same day
• Orders placed after 2:00 PM are delivered the next day
During busy periods, delivery may take up to 3 business days. We'll keep you updated on your order status.
Other Emirates of the UAE
• Orders placed before 1:00 PM are delivered the next day
• Orders placed on Friday after 1:00 PM or Saturday before 1:00 PM are delivered on Monday
• Orders placed on Saturday after 1:00 PM and Sunday are delivered on Tuesday
During busy periods, delivery may take up to 5 business days. We'll keep you updated on your order status.
GCC (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman)
- AED 55 flat rate for orders up to AED 500
- Free delivery for orders over AED 500
- Delivery within 3–10 days
Changing the Delivery Address
We can change the delivery address before the order is shipped.
Damaged Parcels
• If the item is damaged upon delivery, refuse the delivery and contact us.
• If the order has already been Accepted, please contact support for further instructions.
Payment
We accept the following payment methods:
• VISA / MasterCard / Apple / Google Pay
We strive to provide high quality service, but if you need to return an item, please read our returns policy.
Return of goods due to changed mind / did not fit
We accept returns if the request is submitted within 3 days of receiving the order.
- The goods must be in the original packaging, unused and in a saleable condition.
- Returns are at the customer's expense - the buyer will arrange for delivery.
- After receiving and checking the goods, the amount will be refunded in a convenient form for the buyer.
- Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Return of goods under warranty (defect or damage)
If the goods are defective or damaged, we will accept a return within 90 days of receiving the order.
- The customer pays for the delivery of the returned goods, but we will compensate this amount if the warranty case is confirmed. It is important to properly store the goods.
- It takes up to 7 business days after receiving the goods to process the return.
- You can choose:
- Refund to the payment method.
- Exchange for a similar product (subject to availability in stock).
Important information about returns
- Returns are possible within 3 calendar days from the date of receipt of the goods.
- Returns are only possible for products purchased directly from Cantata, through the online store or a retail store.
- The product must be packed in its original packaging with a full set of accessories and documents.
How to arrange a return
- Contact us by phone at +971 52 922 7955 (Monday - Saturday, 8:30 - 21:30 GTZ).
- Send the product back. Shipping is at the customer's expense.
- Once the goods are received and checked, we will process the return within 7 working days and provide a refund or credit balance.
