During the Opium Wars (around 1839) which stopped Britain and China trading in tea, the British became worried about the supply of their beloved beverage and searched for new regions to grow it themselves. One region that took well to the plant was Assam in northeast India. It was later discovered that a variant of Camellia Sinensis (tea), was growing wild in Assam already and today both variants are manufactured side by side and carefully cross pollinated to get the very best leaf for strength, flavour and character. The leaf is large and black with plenty of golden tip; the liquor is traditionally brisk, but with a fantastic malty Assam character.