411 Tasting Notes
I needed something special to help me get my head wrapped around coming into work this morning, so I picked one of my favorites. (Especially since Angrboda is sending me more, so I don’t feel the urge to hoarde it. Have I recently mentioned how awesome Angrboda is??)
This tea just feels so clean. It’s like the 7-up of teas, light and clean and crisp, and almost feels bubbly. A few more cups of this, and I may make it through the day.
Took 3 tbsp of this and simmered it for something like 15 minutes in 2 cups of 2% milk. Added a little simple syrup at the end for a little sweetness.
Wow. It’s amazing.
It’s like a pumpkin pie without the pumpkin, but it has the creamy, spicy flavor. I could even see mixing this blend with canned pumpkin to make a dessert. Lovely, sweet, smooth, and won’t keep me up all night.
Oh, awesome. I’m bumping my score and will make more soon!
Preparation
I see that they don’t have it available currently… I don’t know if they will be restocking it, since they will be closing their doors 2/1/11.
The news of closing made me unhappy so I emailed them and this was their response:
Good Morning,
Thank you for your inquiry into SpecialTeas.
We will be closing our wholesale supply business in Feb, 2011 but our retail website will still be operational.
I hope this helps with your inquiry but if you have any further inquiries please feel free to contact us at your convenience.
Thank you and have a great day,
Alexa
Aye Captain! This smells NOM! The leaf is pretty – little tan tips cresting throughout the dark brown sea of leaf. It’s got a dark, rich scent. Not quite cocoa, but teetering on that edge of decadence.
Once brewed up, it’s a beautiful chestnut color. It’s got an aroma that to me is the essence of tea – that brisk tang of quintessential tea.
Flavor-wise? The captain’s got a softer side! It’s a smooth, mellow initial sip followed by a drying tannic zing. He’s not a wuss, this definitely is a wake-me-up morning tea – I just expected more of a kick in the pants from the seafaring swashbuckler.
Overall assessment? Good tea. Yum.
I’m sure you knew this question was coming – how does the Captain compare to Thomas Sampson? :) :) :)
I’ll do a side by side later and/or tomorrow morning. I’m on to my royal garland oolong at the moment.
Ok, more thoughts on this, although I have a feeling my rating and thoughts may change a little more tomorrow as well. I am not getting the silky mouthfeel you can get from some oolongs, nor any of the creamy or buttery flavor. (And yes, I totally feel like a poser saying mouthfeel) What I am getting is a lot of light floral tones and a hint of fruit. Sweet but dry. This is yummy, but isn’t my favorite oolong ever. What I want to try tomorrow is to resteep with more leaf/less water and a shorter time (the package recommends 5 minutes, which just feels long. Who knows. If I change the parameters, I may like it more. :)
Preparation
First comment – un-tea-related: WOW that was fast shipping. I only ordered on what? Thursday? Sweet!
Now, the tea. As always, lovely, pretty packaging. The tea leaf smells wonderful. Not creamy, but almost fruity. I keep thinking of pear flowers. While brewing, it’s a similar type of aroma, only milder.
I can’t comment to the color of the brew, as I’m breaking my rule of no tea after 6pm to try this, and I’m brewing a cup directly in my favorite cup – which is blue. It looks very light however.
Ooo.. floral, but not quite perfume-y. I am getting a dry-fruit-ish aftertaste, or maybe just a hint of sweet. I’m also burning my tongue a little, since I can’t wait to drink it. I’ll post this now, and come back with a rating a little later tonight.
Ooo.. floral, but not quite perfume-y. I am getting a dry-fruit-ish aftertaste, or maybe just a hint of sweet. I’m also burning my tongue a little, since I can’t wait to drink it. I’ll post this now, and come back with a rating a little later tonight.I am liking this however!!!
Preparation
!!!!!!! Thank you for reviewing! I look forward to more of your thoughts, and a review of the other new Assam tea. I hope to be able to order these next week!
This is on my to buy next list too! By the way, did anyone notice that it says Jason updated this listing today?? Maybe our Overlord is back! :)
You know how everyone keeps saying that “this puerh tastes like fish tank, but in a good way” or “this tastes like dirt, but in a good way”.
Well, this tastes like salty, slightly off butter, but in a good way. Vegetially sweet smelling, but not sweet tasting at all.
I’m not thrilled with this tea, but I could see where green tea lovers would really love it.
Thanks for the tea Angrboda, this was good to try.
Yeah, Angrboda is pretty awesome. This tea sounds so refreshing.