Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea

Just a quick cup of Jackee since my Zoji was rather inconveniently between temperatures again.

I like Thomas Samson…I do…but I’ve found enough Assams that are similar to it that I don’t feel as though it’ll be creating an absence in my cabinet when it’s gone. This, on the other hand…this is a different story. I’ve still not found the tea that will replace Jackee, and it saddens me, so every cup that I have is sort of bittersweet — literally and figuratively!

On the up-side, steepster peeps, tonight is going to be a good night, because tonight I go to see Rodrigo y Gabriela play at the Opera House. I am pretty excited, not gonna lie. They’ve gotten me through more than one tired, backside-dragging bout on the treadmill. Their energy is incredible, and if you haven’t heard of them, I heartily recommend checking them out. Diablo Rojo is the track that hooked me, but they’re all good. The album 11:11 is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/artist?a=GxdCwVVULXfcuOZY-J8rvrP9Hsyf5VVz&feature=artistob

I’m actually drinking a mix of Andrew & Dunham’s Jasmine Green and Adagio Teas’s Jasmine #5, because there wasn’t enough of the Jasmine #5 left to make a full cup. It’s really hard to go wrong with jasmine tea with me, since jasmine is my absolute favorite flavor. <3

Today I had an eye appointment where they dilate your eyes, so my eyes are not at their best. I thought what could possibly be better than to go home, sit in the semi-dark, and enjoy a big cup of tea? So that is what I’m doing. Since I’m alone, I thought I’d bring out the Thomas. You know how stingy I am about sharing him!!

Today he is very bready and has a wonderfully full mouth feel. Strong, malty goodness. I feel sooooo much better now. Gosh I love Thomas Sampson!

Backlogging. Last Thursday morning, the day after the previous tealog.

I hadn’t had any Jackee for quite awhile before yesterday and while I got the caramel, I wasn’t as super happy over my mug as I remember being – it seemed weak. So I increased the steep time by 15 seconds and the water temperature by 5°. At first I thought it was better this way, but there was only hint of caramel. Perhaps I drank it too fast and didn’t let the mug cool enough for the caramel to come out. I think I’ll play with the parameters a bit before reverting back to my original favored ones.

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My main man, Mr. Muntz!

Jackee-Jackee
Fo-Fackee
Me-My-Moe-Mackee
Jackee!

My breakfast mug yesterday. It’s been a long time since I last had Jackee, months even. It went like this: no caramel, no caramel, where’s the caramel?, no caramel, half a mug left, CARAMEL! I think the temperature of the tea when you drink it has as much to do with the caramel as the steeping time and water temperature. It could have been stronger overall. Try increasing both a bit. The second steep had a hint of caramel.

2nd steep: 5 min.

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Yesterday morning I had Tiger with breakfast – an English muffin with butter. It came out very strong. I drank the second steep right after the first. Mid-morning I had a smoothie to use up very ripe fruit – plain yogurt, peach, strawberry, blueberry, and spinach. It was one of the better smoothies I’ve made lately.

2nd steep: 5 min 30 sec.

^{Standard ceramic mug = 10 oz. One rounded teaspoon.}

This BOP quality black tea contains some stems within a mish-mash of brown, darker-brown and black leaves. The aroma is standard Earl Grey (oil of bergamot) but more assertive than most.

The used leaves retain the bergamot scenting as does the dark amber and cloudy liquor. Although, the liquor also has other hints of citrus and faint heated notes, the bergamot is the most prominent aroma by design.

The flavor of the bergamot fruit is the only one I get from this black tea. There’s a standard level of astringency from this tea as well. However, a pleasant surprise is the elongated finish and tail on this tea.

I found this tea pleasant and enjoyed it’s more prominent aroma and flavor profiles compared to other Earl Grey teas.

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One of the correct black teas to be mixed with A&D’s overly bergamotty EG. Used in my mug this morning. No second steep.

I used the right extra black tea with this this morning. Delicious cup. No second steep.

^{Black pottery mugs = 12 oz. Even one and a half teaspoons.}

It seems like it’s been quite awhile since I’ve had any Tiger, though I think I had some last week. Either way, today’s mug was pure comforting, strong, yumminess. Again, using a more correct amount of leave for water, the Tiger had more taste without necessarily being stronger/more steeped tasting.

2nd steep: 5 min 30 sec.
To my husband. ♥

^{All the standard ceramic mugs = 10oz. One rounded teaspoon.}

Accidentally blended with A&D EG this morning.* Not good.

• See previous tealog.

This morning I went to make my customary EG and A&D Ceylon blend that I so enjoy. I picked the top tin off my Series 1 stack and had already added the tea to my freshly washed and still wet infuser basket when I noticed that it was A&D Napal, not Ceylon. I’d had Napal out of Series 1 last. I usually have Ceylon on the top of the stack because I’ve been making a lot of these EG and Ceylon blends. I paused for a moment and considered just having a mug of straight Napal. Then I decided to go ahead and try a EG and Napal combo, thinking EG darjeeling. I should have went with my first instinct.

The resulting tea had a floral soapy taste that I did not enjoy and was quite drying. I poured out the last third of the cup and threw out the leaves without resteeping.

EG + Napal = NO

^{Maroon and teal striped pottery mug = about 14oz. Used a well rounded teaspoon and a half.}

Backlogging.

My Monday morning cup. With honey. Yum. No second steep.

Backlogging. Sunday, late afternoon.

My husband and I enjoyed a pot of A&D’s EG and this Ceylon blended, one rounded teaspoon of each in a two cup pot.

2nd steep: 7 min.
An additional rounded half teaspoon fresh leaf of each tea was added.

Backlogging. Sunday.

My husband and I shared a pot during a late afternoon lull to perk us back up. This was prolly the best I’ve had my EG and Ceylon blend to be. I used a rounded teaspoon of each for a two mug pot. The tea was strong. I could taste the bergamot and the Ceylon. I think A&D’s Ceylon is definitely my tea of choice to blend with this EG. Though I am not adverse to experimenting with others, I can’t say that I think I will.

2nd steep: 7 min.
I add a rounded half teaspoon of each tea as neither of these teas will steep quite strong enough on the second steep alone.

The leaves for this black tea are twisted and curled roughly 1/16 inch in length and a brown-black hue with occasional lighter (as in whiter) leaves mixed in. I did not see any buds or stems.

The aroma is hayish with light toasty notes when dry and sweeter, like peaches after steeping. The liquor is a very dark amber and produced a malty aroma with peach notes and hints of honeysuckle.

On the palate though, the flavor is more subdued. There’s a minimal drying of the tongue and roof of the mouth. Some astringency and pucker finds its way into the mix with notes of peach and maybe nectarine and a malty texture in the finish.

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