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knittingopera Swap Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 4 (my pick)
Theme: A Green Tea
Her pick: Hojicha Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding from Dessert by Deb

We mixed in a few days that have a specific type of tea as the theme, just to mix it up and allow for sharing some teas that might not fit another theme. Funnily enough, we both chose a hojicha for green tea day! I guess that makes a lot of sense, it is very appropriate for the season he he.

This is a simple blend of hojicha and powdered ginger, and in teabag form. I really like how a lot of Japanese companies tend to use the paper pyramid teabags instead of the silky ones. They work just as well and better for the environment! Plus no questions around whether or not microplastics are a thing or will give everyone cancer, etc, etc. :P Anyway, the tea. The ginger is actually very subtle, moreso than I would like it to be or than I remember it being. Luckily, it’s a smooth and tasty hojicha that’s just so cozy for a drizzly day like today. The ginger is more of a subtle accent, adding a touch of warmth and earthiness. Can’t wait to sip Marjorie’s pick later today – an old favorite! :)

Oh, and the jam! Today it’s Orange-Yuzu-Grapefruit Spread. I’m not a marmalade fan, but I thought the grapefruit really helped to brighten it up so it wasn’t just sweet and bitter orange peel. I could taste the yuzu as well, which added an interesting piney note.

Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Dry Grass, Dry Leaves, Earthy, Ginger, Mineral, Roasted, Roasted Barley, Roots, Smooth, Toasted, Toasty, Woody

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 16 OZ / 473 ML

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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… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 1
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 157

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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