Cameron B. select Send Message

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80
drank Earl Grey Classic by Fortnum & Mason
4329 tasting notes

Fortnum & Mason Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 2

Hooray, an Earl Grey I’ll actually like hopefully! \o/

I did a shorter steep than I usually would (2.5 minutes) because of yesterday’s tea and the smallish leaf. Turns out I didn’t need to for this one, it’s definitely a Chinese black base which wouldn’t have gotten bitter or astringent anyway.

This is a lovely classic Earl! The bergamot is very present but it doesn’t hit me over the head. It’s citrusy as opposed to perfumey, in fact it almost tastes like there’s lemon here too. Fortnum (annoyingly) doesn’t specify the origin of the tea anywhere on their website but I’m going to guess 100% Chinese black tea here, as it’s quite earthy in character and extremely smooth. A nice solid base for the bright bergamot without being tannic.

Love it, and definitely won’t have any trouble finishing off the 25g mini tin! :3

Also, with this I had today’s Bonne Maman jam on a toasted English muffin. It was also a classic – Seedless Raspberry Spread – and had a very good balance of sweet and tart with a rich raspberry flavor. It was a bit thin, but I don’t generally keep my jam at room temperature and I’m sure it would firm up a bit in the fridge (if it had lasted past today, that is!).

Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Bergamot, Citrus, Earth, Floral, Lemon, Smooth, Wood

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
9 comments
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Shae
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I forgot about the Bonne Maman advent! I’ve got to remind myself to get this one next year. The tea sounds delicious too, but I’m also a serious EG lover so take that as you will. :D

Cameron B.
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Yes, spreading the Bonne Maman love! :D

Crowkettle
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Yeah, I want in on the jam action next year! :)

Cameron B.
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Sounds like I need to order some jackets for our jam club!

Shae
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Count me in!

Martin Bednář
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Loved this one as well!

Tiffany :)
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Oh after following along with your IG this year (it is Jan 2022 and I’m catching up on steepster notes) I’m all about the Bonne Maman advent for December 2022.

Cameron B.
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Ha ha I’ll have to create a reminder discussion board thread this fall! XD

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Comments

Shae
Delete

I forgot about the Bonne Maman advent! I’ve got to remind myself to get this one next year. The tea sounds delicious too, but I’m also a serious EG lover so take that as you will. :D

Cameron B.
Delete

Yes, spreading the Bonne Maman love! :D

Crowkettle
Delete

Yeah, I want in on the jam action next year! :)

Cameron B.
Delete

Sounds like I need to order some jackets for our jam club!

Shae
Delete

Count me in!

Martin Bednář
Delete

Loved this one as well!

Tiffany :)
Delete

Oh after following along with your IG this year (it is Jan 2022 and I’m catching up on steepster notes) I’m all about the Bonne Maman advent for December 2022.

Cameron B.
Delete

Ha ha I’ll have to create a reminder discussion board thread this fall! XD

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

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! ~
- February sipdowns: 4
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 38

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

Location

Austin, Texas

Website

https://www.instagram.com/tea...

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