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Cameron B. drank Polka by Betjeman and Barton

4319 tasting notes

This is another one from Dexter (I know, she sent me a ton!). I’ve never tried anything from Betjeman and Barton before. The black tea leaves are very small/broken here, and there are lots of little bits of flower petals mixed in with them. Dry scent is actually very fruity and appealing, with a nice tartness that always improves fruity teas for me.

Mm, the steeped tea smells quite fruity as well. I think I can smell strawberry and orange, as well as that strange powdered sugar aroma that I often find in French flavored teas. Hm, I think I may have overleafed a tad, as it has a slight bitter edge. I almost always used 1.5 teaspoons of tea per 8 ounces, but perhaps I should have used less here since the leaves are so broken. Oh well! The fruit flavor is actually quite a bit more mild than I would like it to be, and there’s definitely orange involved but I can’t really distinguish any other specific flavors. And it also has that chalky powdered sugar texture to it that leaves my tongue slightly dry. I don’t love it…

Flavors: Bitter, Fruity, Orange, Powdered Sugar

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- January sipdowns: 33
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 33

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing