Tea type
Black Tea
Ingredients
Chinese Black Tea
Flavors
Astringent, Smoke, Bread, Charcoal, Dried Fruit, Earthy, Malt, Meat, Savory, Smoked, Smooth, Sweet, Thick, Wood, Tannic, Campfire
Sold in
Loose Leaf
Caffeine
High
Certification
Not available
Edit tea info Last updated by Cameron B.
Average preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 30 sec 6 g 13 oz / 375 ml

From Our Community

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17 Own it Own it

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23 Tasting Notes View all

  • “1.25 tsp for 250mL water@100C, steeped 4 minutes, drunk bare. Like, omigod, the tea even came with, like, a blood-dripping A&D button I can pin on my jacket! An excellent smoky China black tea....” Read full tasting note
    96
  • “I have a sample of this thanks to the most generous scribble – Thank you so much!! This was my tea of choice at work today. First cup was a TOTAL MISS – ewww. I really over leafed, over steeped...” Read full tasting note
  • “Backlog: Now, having tried the original Caravan and not being too crazy about it (smoky teas just don’t usually do it for me), I wasn’t going to order this resurrected version however, it came as...” Read full tasting note
    75
  • “I must hate myself, because this isn’t the best tea to drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. But it’s so good, and I want it now. :P I can always drink puerh and eat breakfast later!” Read full tasting note
    80

From Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea

You might think that it’s hard for a classic tea to keep its fans wide awake and screaming for more, year after year, tour after tour. Maybe you wonder if a blend ever grows weary of trashing countertops the world over? Perhaps you think that following an exhausting after-dinner encore in Sioux City, this tea is not prepared to demolish breakfast in Wichita the next morning?

Think again.

We’re proud to welcome Carävan back into our lineup. It’s long been one of our favorite, hard-rocking teas, and now it’s bigger, bolder, and better than ever. Hold on to your biscuits and let this custom blend of strong, smoky black tea from China rock you — you won’t regret it!

Steep this tea in boiling water for four minutes, or as long as you can stand it. But please, don’t use your lighter or an open flame. Try a stovetop burner, or maybe have a friend boil it for you instead. Store at your own risk: Andrews & Dunham is not responsible for any damage to other teas in your cupboard.

About Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea View company

Andrews & Dunham knows that nothing beats a perfect cup of tea, and a great tea needs no explanation. We love the romance of tea. We love that tea might just be the healthiest thing you’ll ever drink. But if the tea you’re drinking doesn’t taste fantastic, you’re missing out. Only a few teas meet our mysterious, rigorous standards and we’re proud to offer them to you. We’re always looking for that perfect cup, so you don’t have to.

23 Tasting Notes

96
652 tasting notes

1.25 tsp for 250mL water@100C, steeped 4 minutes, drunk bare.

Like, omigod, the tea even came with, like, a blood-dripping A&D button I can pin on my jacket!

An excellent smoky China black tea. Not quite the same as I remember — it’s missing that almost savoury /salty note — but still a more nuanced smoky tea than many. The smoke scent is strong but not smothering, while the liquor itself, a light brown with some reddish tones, is mineral and sweet and sparkling — not carbonated, obviously, but giving definite bite. Smoky notes in the finish. A very light body. I may try making this stronger tomorrow.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
LiberTEAS

I just love the little extras that Andrews & Dunham includes in their packages. It makes it so much fun.

Michelle Butler Hallett

Agreed. I almost jumped up and down when I unwrapped the buttons yesterday, especially the Caravan one, which is Carvanan-label-blue in the background, with the blood-dripping pentagram in the middle and “A” and “D” on either side. Design. I go mad for good design, not just the immediate visual punch but how A&D extend their good design into little extras and treats.

I woke up this morning thinking —I can make new tea! I can drink Assam and Caravan all day long, if I want.

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1040 tasting notes

I have a sample of this thanks to the most generous scribble – Thank you so much!!
This was my tea of choice at work today. First cup was a TOTAL MISS – ewww. I really over leafed, over steeped it. Those leaves for a second steep was really good. Added a bit more fresh leaf and did a third steep – shorter steep time. AWESOME. This tea for me is a bit fussy with steep times. I had to steep this shorter than I normally would with a black. It was just too strong with the longer steep times. Once I found where I liked it, this is really nicely balanced between bold black, astringent, and smokey. I like that the smoky isn’t totally drowning out the black flavors.
I think this is a really good example of this style of tea, but this style will never be my favorite. I would certainly like a cup here or there, but don’t think I need a 4 oz tin. Thanks so much scribbles for letting me try this.

Terri HarpLady

I enjoy a robust cup of this one!

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75
4843 tasting notes

Backlog:

Now, having tried the original Caravan and not being too crazy about it (smoky teas just don’t usually do it for me), I wasn’t going to order this resurrected version however, it came as part of the Damn Fine three-pack which was introduced before the adventure pack. And I figured at 48. it was a pretty good deal and since I’ve learned a better way to brew smoky teas so that I can drink them … I decided I’d go for it.

And I’m glad I did because now with my “new” brewing method (which isn’t all that big a secret, I simply “rinse” the leaves with hot water – brewing them for 15 seconds and then discard the liquid and then steep them as I would normally), I really enjoyed this tea.

Smoky … yes, it still is quite smoky, but I can also enjoy the other flavors tucked within this tea. Sweet and caramel-y. Deep fruity notes. A moderate astringency.

An enjoyable cuppa.

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80
1598 tasting notes

I must hate myself, because this isn’t the best tea to drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

But it’s so good, and I want it now. :P I can always drink puerh and eat breakfast later!

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52
390 tasting notes

generally i consider andrews and dunham a staple: their tiger assam, their double knit— this is a company that has studied tea and knows what they’re doing.

i completely understand why this one was named ‘caravan’. i can taste the bonfire smoke and hear the nomads dancing about the flames. if you like a smoke heavy blend that is also smooth then i predict you will bond well with this tea. for my part it was a bit too much smoke, even with cream added. it was, however, very smooth.

thank you to scibbles for this tasting experience!

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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250 tasting notes

In a moment of weakness I purchased the A&D triple pack, which I’m finally getting around to trying this weekend. I threw a teaspoon in my gaiwan and used near boiling water to steep the tea for 15-20 seconds. The foretaste is a bit strange and is dominated by the smoky flavor of the tea, but then the taste transforms into a smooth and mildly sweet flavor before trailing off into a lightly mineral aftertaste. The problem with this tea is that I find myself comparing it against Zheng Shan Xaio Zhong, which is hardly fair because this tea is above average. That, and nothing smoked is really in the same galaxy as Zheng Shan Xaio Zhong. Oh well, it will still be interesting to see how the tea develops.

Second cup was made with the same parameters as the first, but the taste is much different. The tea isn’t quite as sweet, allowing the smokey flavor to assert itself a bit more.Another change is that the texture of the tea has gone from a bit creamy to a nice solid mineral-ish sensation. Both of these changes actually improve the flavor of the tea, and I can’t wait to see what the next development will be.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec

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95
286 tasting notes

I. Love. This. Tea.

I love the smoky flavour of this tea. The smokiness is not overwhelming, just enough to evoke awesome memories of the great outdoors and white water rafting.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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75
964 tasting notes

TeaTiff TTB #15

I’ve been wanting to try this one for a while, so I was excited to see it in the box! I found it a bit thinner and more astringent than the Russian Caravan I’ve been enjoying from Market Spice, but I did appreciate how balanced and nuanced the smoky flavor was.

Flavors: Astringent, Smoke

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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80
4175 tasting notes

So a couple of weeks ago, I somehow found myself on the Andrews & Dunham website. I don’t recall how, maybe I saw something on Steepster that made me curious to see what teas they had in stock. Regardless, I found this tea in stock and promptly ordered a tin. I have four of their other teas and they’re always enjoyable, if slightly neglected in my cupboard. I then promptly forgot about the purchase.

So fast forward to two days ago, this tea showed up at my doorstep and ooh, what a lovely surprise gift from my (slightly) past self! XD

I admit, I was slightly nervous when I smelled the dry leaf, as the smoke dominates the aroma. I don’t dislike smoked teas, in fact I often quite enjoy them, but it’s not something I drink often, and sometimes I do find them a bit too smoky. But I needn’t have worried, this is very well-balanced. The smokiness is obvious, but it’s not the only thing I taste, and it has a lovely savory meaty flavor as opposed to a charred or ashy one. Underneath is a lovely sweetness, an earthy woodiness, and also a satisfyingly chewy bread note. Perhaps a touch of dark dried fruit as well?

Very yummy, and I certainly don’t regret ordering it on a whim. I haven’t been disappointed by A&D yet! :)

Flavors: Bread, Charcoal, Dried Fruit, Earthy, Malt, Meat, Savory, Smoke, Smoked, Smooth, Sweet, Thick, Wood

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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88
2171 tasting notes

This seemed like a good choice for the frigid temperatures we’re experiencing. I know it’s much colder further north, but goodness I’m not used to temperatures in the teens. Currently sitting under my heated blanket with a cup of this tea. I remember when I first tried this one, I was disappointed that it wasn’t smokier than it is. Today, it’s delicious. Th smoke is there, but it doesn’t overpower the tea. I’m going to finish this cup, shut my laptop, and go right to bed for a nap. It’s the perfect weekend for hunkering down. Stay warm, friends!

Flavors: Smoke, Tannic

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
Cameron B.

Same here Shae ha ha, it was 12 here when I took the doggos out this morning. o.o

Maddy Barone

We northerners like poke fun at our southern neighbors when they have to deal with cold. But honestly, not only are we used to it, but our roads, houses and infrastructures are built to withstand it. We have entirely different wardrobes for summer and winter. And don’t let anyone fool you. When it gets cold we complain too!

Crowkettle

Second what Maddy Barone said! When weather goes this off the rails respective of a region’s climate normals, people, infrastructure, animals, plants, etc. go haywire!

I hope you stay warm too! Smoky teas are perfect on frigid days; I think I’ll emulate you and crack open the Caravan tin :)

Shae

Agreed! People here like to make fun of northern states during heatwaves but ignore the fact that they may not be as prepared for those high temperatures as we are. I imagine it is sort of comical though when we shut down completely any time there are snow flurries. :)

I hope you enjoyed your Caravan too, CrowKettle!

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