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Cameron B. drank 2022 Blood Moon Mini by white2tea

4310 tasting notes

Sipdown! (25 | 61)

Sipping on this one grandpa-style this morning. I used to use double-walled glass tumblers for this because they have convenient little strainers in the top, but I found they kept the tea too hot and it was difficult for me to drink it within any reasonable time frame, leading to oversteeped tea. So I’ve switched to large mugs for the time being, and just trying to avoid the leaves ha ha. Simple is best I guess!

This is a beautiful tea ball, with very large, fuzzy golden buds predominating. Steeped up, it tastes so much like black olives to me! Which is bizarre, but I love black olives so I’m not mad about it ha ha. I could see also calling it a very overcooked green bean-y vegetal note (my grandma always simmered green beans to death with bacon on the stove, and it reminds me of that). Maybe a hint of smoked meat? It’s also malty and thick on the tongue, with a bit of fuzzy apricot and a drizzle of honey. Still, overall it leans quite savory to me. Their description mentions strawberry and I guess I could see that if I really look for it.

Tasty!

Flavors: Apricot, Broth, Green Beans, Honey, Malty, Olives, Savory, Smoked, Smooth, Strawberry, Sweet, Thick, Vegetal

Preparation

190 °F / 87 °C 8 min or more 7 g 16 OZ / 473 ML

I Like This

20 likes

1 comments

Jean027
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I really like this tea. I only ordered one ball next time I will definitely order more. I steeped it gung fu style for 30 seconds. Multiple steeps. I like your description of the taste. Definitely do not overstep.

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Jean027
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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: 27
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 27

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