Cigar pairing: coffee v. tea

[Guest Nekhyludov]

I was reading through some old threads about what folks like to pair with their cigars (coffee, tea, water, Dr. Pepper (?), etc.) and thought I'd be helpful to get some thoughts on coffee versus tea pairings.

I usually have a dry latte, unsweetened, when I smoke. I have a burr grinder and a decent - but not great - espresso machine. I use a dark roast Nicaraguan bean from a local roaster that has a nice chocolate aroma and isn't too acidic. I've used Cubita in the past when I can find it, but I haven't seen any at my usual sources for the past year and a half. 

I've heard of some testers who use lukewarm tea as a sort of palate cleanser when they smoke, and I think that's an interesting idea. I'm considering trying something different because "coffee" or some variant of that is so common in tasting notes and reviews. I never really get that out of my cigars, and I'm assuming that's because the coffee note is completely masked by the actual coffee I'm drinking. 

Any thoughts on a pairing that would really let the full range of flavors and aromas of a cigar shine through? And for tea drinkers, any recommendations? I'm thinking something in the oolong family, but that might be too mild ...

Looking forward to enjoying trying some new pairings!

[GavLew79]

I find a strong black tea such as Assam, brewed strong, with a drop of milk is a good accompaniment. 

[rhcolbert]

Coffee. Every time. All the time

[JLFIRST]

I have a friend who swears that orange juice is the best palate cleanser, period. I disagree with him. I drink water or coffee when smoking, that's all.

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[Mattb82]

Coffee here 

[gweilgi]

IMO, it really depends on the cigar.  Some go better with coffee, and with others a tea is preferable.  

Which doesn't really help you, does it? 

I drink both coffee and tea, and I find matching coffee and cigars to be trickier.  So much depends on the roast, the grind, and the variety that tea can be an easier choice.  Very generally speaking, I would say that stronger cigars pair up better with coffee: a Bolivar Royal Corona, for instance, kills any tea stone dead, overpowers it like a marauding column of German tanks on the plains of Northern France.  A rich strong coffee, say an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe with a medium dark roast, works much better.

Incidentally, the perfect combination of coffee and cigar is a dirt-cheap option: a double espresso and an Italian Toscani cigar.  Hose two are absolutely made for each other, IMHO ... not surprising, as the Italians have been working on this combo for 150 years or so.

As for tea, I like to pair Assam with a drop of milk or a smoky Lapsang Souchong with half a slice of lemon with a medium to light cigar such as a SLR Regios.  The Lapsang can be hard to source, but the smoky tang works well with the milder smoke and is strong enough to stand up to the tobacco.

 

[Smallclub]

Espresso, Lapsang Souchong, Tarry Souchong, or Badoit water…

[dominattorney]

There's a nice coffee shop near me that roasts their own beans. He has previously placed top 5 in the world for espresso and top 3 in the USA. For a non alcoholic cigar pairing, a quad shot Americano with a touch of half and half is my preference. Espresso can indeed be tricky, but his roast is very caramel forward and backed by earth tones. It isn't sharp or acrid like Starbucks espresso, so to echo what someone else said about coffee, it depends on the blend. I don't think the typical Italian roasts or illy would suit my palate as well. Not ragging on the coffee, by it'll itself it's fine, but when pairing I don't think it does as well. 

Tea is interesting. I don't drink it with cigars and usually prefer green tea when I drink it on its own. I doubt that would pair well. Would be interested to hear some recommendations for teas. 

[Fugu]

7 minutes ago, dominattorney said:

Tea is interesting. I don't drink it with cigars and usually prefer green tea when I drink it on its own. I doubt that would pair well. Would be interested to hear some recommendations for teas. 

I also got a few different Chinese green teas in my rotation. While green tea really nicely cleanses the palate, the tea is getting killed by the cigar. A waste of a good tea, but supporting a fine cigar. Best tea-cigar combo for me is a hearty Assam (with or w/o cream/milk and sugar), and even a more adstringent Darjeeling (Second flush or autumnal, don't waste the top qualities) will be able to cope with a cigar, and makes for a very good pairing.

[Elvis]

I find that Pu-Ehr pairs well with cigars. I enjoy both ripe and raw Pu-Ehr and collecting tea can become a bit of an obsession itself. Water should be just off boil and always pour the first steeping out. 

[Baldy]

6 minutes ago, Elvis said:

I find that Pu-Ehr pairs well with cigars. I enjoy both ripe and raw Pu-Ehr and collecting tea can become a bit of an obsession itself. Water should be just off boil and always pour the first steeping out. 

You can say that again.

I love either coffee or tea with a cigar.  Not particularly picky about coffee as most of the time it's McDonald's coffee.  I'm more picky with teas.  What tea will depend on the mood.  When I know I'll be pairing tea and cigar, I'll add a healthy dose of great natural unprocessed local honey in there.

[Mycroft]

Weak green tea as a palate cleanser, coffee to compliment the taste of the cigar. I often drink both together. 

[garbandz]

A raw Puerh can be a fine pairing .I have a Bulang that is particularly nice.The aftertaste in Puerh can play well against the flavor of cigars.

My cooked Puerh teas overpower the lighter marcas, but a Boli or Parti can stand up to them.

Keemun brewed strong goes well with leathery cigars,a Dragon Well  brewed strong is great with Lighter brands.

I tried Jasmine with a Partagas the other day,the interplay between the aromas of the tea and the flavor of the Partagas was a good pairing.

I have a savory Lapsang (Golden Eyebrow) that is a treat with San Cristobal sweetness.

Tie Guan Yin is a grassy tea, perhaps pair this with Cohiba? will try to validate this...............

 

[rhcolbert]

I went in with coffee, but shoulda been more specific. 

A cappuccino made from really good coffee beans and whole milk plz.  And none of this 27million ounces of milk to one shot that a Starbucks tall is. Two shots with 5-6ish oz max of velvety steamed milk. Love making it at home and maybe adding a dash of some kind of adult beverage.

sit back with that and a good punch punch and I'm a happy man

[MahDooRow]

I'm a coffee lover in general, so coffee is my non-alcoholic drink of choice with cigars.  Depending on the cigar, it's usually black coffee, a double espresso or cappuccino.            

[PlatypusMaximus]

Sounds like I need to look into some different teas! I have to admit I hadn't thought of pairing cigars with tea. I would love to hear more about them and some nice recommendations!!

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[Capt. Brett]

Neither Single Malt Scotch, Rum, or Beer.  

[Sophistic]

latte is not coffee imo.

[BrightonCorgi]

I prefer a black tea with cream along a cigar over coffee, but I drink coffee more often than tea by itself.  Favorite beverage with a cigar is plain old water; the best beverage around...

[Homer]

Great combo is Cohiba siglo 2 + Earl Grey tea with milk + cheap lager bear. Believe it or not.

[TomF]

Morning cigar...coffee with cream, no sugar.

Afternoon cigar...black tea, lightly sweetened.

Evening cigar...rum, or in the summer, gin and tonic.

[rhcolbert]

7 hours ago, Sophistic said:

latte is not coffee imo.

Too much milk in em for me

[LLC]

If I'm having a cigar during the day it is almost always with a black Americano. After dinner it could be cognac, rum, scotch, red wine or maybe a double espresso.


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[gweilgi]

7 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I prefer a black tea with cream along a cigar over coffee, but I drink coffee more often than tea by itself.  Favorite beverage with a cigar is plain old water; the best beverage around...

Water ... that's the strange stuff they make the ice cubes out of that I plonk in my drink, yes? 

Do you know what fish do in that stuff?????

[JMacSr]

Mostly coffee or espresso for me when smoking in morning or early afternoon. Scotch, rum, or red wine in the evening.


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