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“Backlogging. 5 days ago. Tuesday morning. The February Backlog: From the 1st to today. Since I removed Jackee from my steepster cupboard, I figured it was time to add The Captain to it. The first...” Read full tasting note
“Yet another installment of “Cody v. The Morning.” Despite having been capable of making my own breakfast since I was a pre-teen, I could hardly manage eggs and toast this morning without dropping a...” Read full tasting note
“On my husband’s days off, things are a little uncertain. Never know when we are just going to go someplace (there’s rarely any planning, which is fine by me because I’m not a planner anyway) or...” Read full tasting note
“Drunk without milk or sugar — ‘bare tea,’ in Newfoundland English. My heart deeply wounded by the absence — rather, by my never getting to try — Thomas Sampson (though he did send me a lovely...” Read full tasting note
Who knows the limit of the sea? Who has spied its edge and not glimpsed more beyond? Our lonely Captain has stared into the watery depths more than most. Far removed from the overcast shores of his boyhood, long the ward of the ocean’s swells and spray, he does not want for company. The course is of his choosing; the treasure is all that eludes his grasp. And he is not alone.
Who has been staring back? And who would return to fix their gaze so softly upon this worn and craggy face? Love is mystery enough that it needs no magic from the deep to capture our imagination. But like a warm fire, a good salty yarn is hard to resist.
The Captain is a hearty Assam tea from India. For an invigorating brew, steep these leaves for 4 minutes in boiling water. Try 3 if you are of a gentler nature and seek only warm comfort. Beware the urge to brew this tea in salt water.
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.
I wasn’t really aware how inexperienced I was with assams until I tried this. I really have nothing to compare it to, so I am struggling a bit with how to describe this tea. Overall it’s very smooth, and light (many black teas coat the tongue, especially when steeped for a while, but this one doesn’t at all). Honestly, there’s not much to distinguish it as far as uniqueness goes. It’s just a really nice, kind of quiet morning or afternoon tea.
Wet: Walnut shells, autumn earth, moss
Leaf: FOP fully oxidized, green-brown umber hue
Cup: First extraction: blonde, reddish hued liquor with smooth, soft tannins and rich front note of dark honey. Surprisingly smooth and lacking in astringency, with pleasant lingering flavors that roll around the palate. Slight hint of malt and stone fruit, but sweet and clean. 2nd extraction: deeper ruddy-rust colored extraction with brighter tannins, crisp malt notes and lingering sweetness. No trace of fruit, but classic Assam malt, spice, tannin profile and body brisk and clean. 3rd extraction: yellow-copper hued liquor, some mild tannic definition, spice notes softly play, but the cup has lost much of its complexity and offers a velvet mouth feel that leaves the ‘classic’ Assam flavor remaining. Overall, not the most complex or layered Assam I’ve ever had and I suspect it’s a 2nd/3rd flush blend from the region around the Rembeng Estate area. The first cup was lovely, but not quite as deep as the Assam Mangalam Estate, or as brassy-malty as Rembeng Estate, but still a nice cup. As this was a gift from dear Quilt Guppy, I hope it was a reasonable priced Assam as it fits within the ‘expected’ parameters of teas from that region and I can see it being blended into a hearty Irish Breakfast or used as a base for a rich iced tea.
Brewing: Traditional porcelain cupping set, using 3g per 6 oz in 200 degree water, steeped for 3 min (1st steep) and increasing time by one min/per steep.
Thank you again Quilt Guppy….your beautiful gift will not go without praise, if for nothing other than to regale the generous nature of your character!
I’m a sucker for good packaging and creative marketing, so I’m prefacing this by saying that I’m already majorly biased. I mean, how can you NOT love tea that’s called Captain Assam’s High Seas Elixir? And comes in a shipper box from which the usps label can be peeled off, and the box can literally be turned inside out to become a very decent gift box? And comes with temporary tatoos that say “Brewed ’n Tattooed”?
However, with that preface, I’m also a fanatical tea drinker who appreciates a good cuppa. So that being said, I’m happy to report that the tea itself is very good as well! I prefer my Assams light and sweet (no milk or sugar please), and this hits the spot.
Brew it with 180 degree water (yes, you heard me correctly), 1-2 tsp. in a 8oz gaiwan, for 5-10 mins, and it yields a honey-sweet cup with floral notes and a wonderful, clean flavor.
I’ve also used this tea to make excellent Tea Eggs. Boil eggs for 10 mins, then crack them all over and put them back in the hot water. Add 2 tablespoons assam tea, plus 1 tablespoon Davids Tea Coco Chai Rooibos, and simmer for another hour. Eat along with a cup of this Assam, and it’s the perfect mid-morning snack.
I would score this tea a 92, but it gets +10 bonus points for the packaging!
Love this! This tea has been a recent companion to my watch standing and post watch breakfasts! It has a wonderful flavor and goes delightfully with milk. i honestly had to order a second set, not just for the cool tattoos, but because there just wasn’t enough of this sea going mate in one can for an ol’ salt like me!
This is a must try and re-try for anybody and everybody who simply wants a good cup of tea. :)
I must agree with several other notes that I’ve read regarding this tea, as I was expecting a little bit more of a punch. Don’t get me wrong, I like this tea. It is, however, a milder Assam than I was expecting. I think the only basis for my assumption, however, is that the only other Assams I’ve ever had have been a little stronger. That said, the tea was pleasantly mellow but stout and solid. I may try a bit more leaf next time, but regardless this tea is pretty good.
Captain Assam! I seem to be drowning in A&D’s Damn Fine Tea these days (not that that could possibly be a bad thing). A very lovely gift from a secret santa, and I brewed it straight away.
I went ahead and tried the full 4-minute recommended steep, and boy, it was lovely. Brisk as can be, with a very even flavor, reminiscent of raisin and wet branches. (Sorry, that sounds strange, but it’s pleasant, I swear!) I gave the leaves a second steep, but I’m afraid the resteep was rather weak. Maybe I’ll try a 3 minute first steep and the second cup will come out alright?
Anyway, A solid cup. It’s certainly worth your time.
