Hathikuli means "frequent elephant" in Assamese, and the name fits: the garden borders Kaziranga National Park, where elephants, tigers and rhinos roam close enough that a path was once cut through the long grass known locally as "Lambee Ghaas", leading from the Chung Bungalow's verandah down to the Brahmaputra so residents could watch the animals pass. The Smith family's connection to the area runs through Grandfather Robert Stammers, who managed the neighbouring Behora Tea Estate and brought the family along on visits to Hathikuli. The garden itself sits in Golaghat, Assam, at a modest 237 feet above sea level, and turned fully organic in 2011.
This is an orthodox loose-leaf black tea, graded Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe 1 - a larger leaf that produces a dark brown liquor with real depth. Expect honey on the aroma, a malty backbone, and a smooth, delicate finish, with hints of lemon, orange and grass underneath. Traditionally it goes into the cup with milk, though it is worth trying plain first to taste the tea itself, adding a slice of lemon if you want a lighter note instead. Steep with freshly boiled water for three to five minutes; four minutes is a fair middle ground if you would rather not fuss over timing.
