Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea

Friday morning, I need the caffeine but don’t want to put the overly strong caffeine of moka pot coffee into my still feeling overly full tummy. So I reach for this for a less stronger punch. Two steeps.

Backlogging. 8 days ago. Saturday morning.

The February Backlog: From the 1st to today.

First cup of the day. Two steeps.

Backlogging. 3 days ago. Monday morning.

I remember that I wanted something strong to wake me up and this is what I picked. And that it was good and did the job suitably well. I steeped it a second time. But that’s all I remember.

Breakfast was oatmeal with blackberries, raspberries, and honey, and this tea. For some reason, I can make this tea well in a 12oz mug but it comes out weak in a 10oz one. lol

Backlogging. 4 days ago. Wednesday morning.

A nice strong first cup of the day. Put a bit of raspberry sugar in the second steep. Kind of made it taste a bit like soap.

2nd steep: 20+ mins.

Backlogging. 12 days ago. Tuesday morning.

Two steeps made exactly the same ways as last time. I got this one down pat for me and it’s becoming a morning favorite.

2nd steep: 20+ mins

Up next, The Flavor Experiment.

Backlogging. 14 days ago. Saturday morning.

A rich first cup of the day. An on purpose extra long second steep mimicking my accidental extra long second steep of DFT R29 ceylon yielded again a much more enjoyable cup than my traditional second steep times.

2nd steep: 20+ mins

Backlogging. 13 days ago. Friday morning.

Quickly consumed a cup to wake me up before I had to get ready to leave. What’s notable about this session is that I steeped a second cup to drink post shower then completely forgot about it and was sad to have to abandon it. =(

2nd steep: 8 mins 30 sec

This morning I steeped this one as my wake up cup for a change from A&D’s R29 Ceylon of the past two mornings. It was rich and flavorful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2nd steep: 8 mins 30 secs
With breakfast of over easy eggs with siracha and multigrain toast with butter and strawberry conserves.

Yes, I have a cold in the middle of August. Wtf is up with that?

So yesterday morning I wanted a cup of black tea and honey. But I’d finished all my black teas that I knew went well with honey. Time to try something new. I had originally thought to try the R29 Ceylon. Indeed, I had opened the cupboard to grab it but was pulled to make this again even though I thought it would not taste right with honey. Boy was I ever wrong. This was so good and soothing with honey and carrying all the yummy characteristics of my last time having it, just muted a bit by the sweetness.

Backlogging. 3 days ago. Tuesday morning.

On a whim, I added even more leaf than the last time and omg so so good. This is it. I actually really like this tea now and can’t wait to try it again like this.

Backlogging. 4 days ago. Monday morning.

Had to see if I could replicate yesterday’s delicious experience. I could. Omg this tea is so much better now.

Backlogging. 5 days ago. Sunday morning.

I tried even a bit more leaf that morning and it was so much better. I could taste a stronger tea now and notes of things, like richness, chewiness, and a hint of smoke.

Backlogging. 2 days ago. Thursday morning.

A bit more leaf and a bit longer steeping time did the trick. The strength is now more to my taste. I’m having trouble identifying any notes in this taste other than stronger and good. Maybe I was just too not awake yet. I’ll have to peruse others’ tealogs when I post mine and see if anything sparks my memory.

Backlogging. 3 days ago. Wednesday morning.

My cup came out weaker tasting than I wanted but it provided the caffeine that I needed. Maybe I need to increase the amount of leaf and steeping time by a bit.

Yesterday morning, I woke up and decided to have this tea with a garlic bagel for breakfast. Then I thought no, Jackee. But I’d already scooped this tea on autopilot into my steeping basket a few minutes later before I realized I had meant to have Jackee. Oh well, sometimes it is best to go with your first choice. This tea actually went really well with the garlic bagel. As I drank it, I realized it was growing on me. I had found this tea to be underwhelming a bit.

2nd steep: 10 mins.

this is perhaps my favourite oolong i’ve ever tried. the dry leaves are really nicely curled, bold, well made with a good twist.

smelling the dry leaves, i get LOTS of jasmine and floral tones, which translates well to the actual liquor. the wet leaves open beautifully, are very even, strong and definitely quality.

the liquor is bright and brisk, a gorgeous yellow-amber colour. i love that it’s scented and not flavoured. this tea does not need any sweetener added, it’s a lovely oolong with a lovely floral flavour/scent.

So much to get done today. Tomorrow I’m leaving on a mission trip to Guatemala for a few days. Thank you Janefan for this one. I always try a tea once before I review it to allow my palette to adjust to the tea. So the first cup was lighter. I didn’t get any smokiness really. It was like an Assam. Then when it cooled there were some honey notes like a Darjeeling maybe. This morning though when I brewed it was all Yunnan. A strong Yunnan black aroma, and on the drive to work. Good morning smokey. Yeah this is a really good blend. I’m bummed I waited to pull the trigger on it before it sold out.

This is an excellent Dragonwell, one of the best I’ve tried. It has a light buttery quality to it, smooth and rich but at the same time, very light and soothing. I am loving this oh so much.

I always fret before placing an order with Andrews & Dunham because their products are a little pricy, but, after I’ve tried the tea, I’ve yet to think “wow, I feel ripped off” – I always feel that I’ve definitely gotten my moneys worth with the tea I order from them, and this time is no exception. It’s superb!

Suspect I may have oversteeped this, this time. The color is a bit darker, but the nuance of the flavor is gone. ): Oh well, still a tasty cup of tea.

Note to self: don’t be so impatient in the future. Let the kettle sit for a bit after boiling.

I’ve only got two oolong teas in my cupboard—this one and the Tea Spot’s Milky Coconut Oolong—but I definitely enjoyed this tea. It’s light but not insubstantial, with a sweet accent that doesn’t take away from the flavor of the oolong. I didn’t go for the suggested five-minute steep time, however, since that seemed a little excessive. Three minutes thirty seconds, and I’m able to get two delightful cups out of one serving.

Highly flavorful, almost savory black tea, guaranteed by the lovely folks of Andres & Dunham to “quickly restore ELF VIGOR.” I’m no elf but I think it lives up to its promise.

I enjoy this tea with a bit of milk and honey. Definitely a good way to start the work day if you’re dragging a little bit, or need a pick-me-up when it’s dreary outside.

Wow, this is one intense Jasmine! I love Jasmine Pearls and I didn’t expect this to be very strong because I have not typically had good experiences with non-pearl Jasmine Greens. I think I would take this down to a 2 minute steep next time, 3 minutes is verging on a bitter edge for my tastes. Overall, pretty good and I’m looking forward to another infusion at a lower time and possibly lower temp. Thanks to threewhales for my supply of this tea!

I’m having a serious case of holiday malaise over here. Hopefully this elixir will help cure it all. Although, since I suspect most of my issue is due to not sleeping well lately – a caffeine filled tea may not help as much as I would hope. Oh well, at least it is smooth, non-bitter, and just plain tasty.