Cameron B. select Send Message

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4161 tasting notes

First of all, I would like to commend the folks over at Harney & Sons for making such an elegant and gorgeous tin for this tea! I have the sachet version and the tin is a lovely white with lavender and copper accents (how did they know I LOVE copper?). Overall, beautifully designed!

The first thing that hit me upon opening the tin was a very strong, almost perfumey fruit scent. Needless to say, I was worried. However, the aroma of the brewed cup is divine: notes of vanilla and toasted almond, similar to how I would expect a vanilla rooibos to smell.

I really enjoy the taste of this tea. The black tea is very smooth, not too strong or bitter, and the flavors (think: vanilla, caramel, mild fruitiness) are present but they do not overpower the tea. I found that adding about a teaspoon or so of sugar really helped to bring out the sweet flavors. Overall, I am very impressed with this tea, and I daresay it would be even better in loose leaf! I purchased my tea at my local high-end grocery store, so sachets were the only option; next time I will definitely order the leaf version to see how it compares.

Flavors: Caramel, Cocoa, Dried Fruit, Vanilla

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

I Like This

8 likes

4 comments

TheTeaFairy
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Lol, now I want the sachet version just for the tin!

Cameron B.
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I tried to add a photo of it to the tea entry, but it didn’t seem to work. Does it have to be approved by an admin or something before it shows up?

TheTeaFairy
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Cameron, you can’t copy a photo, only a link to flickr, photobucket, instagram, etc…

Ost
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This is like one of my favorite teas! So good! :D

People who liked this

Comments

TheTeaFairy
Delete

Lol, now I want the sachet version just for the tin!

Cameron B.
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I tried to add a photo of it to the tea entry, but it didn’t seem to work. Does it have to be approved by an admin or something before it shows up?

TheTeaFairy
Delete

Cameron, you can’t copy a photo, only a link to flickr, photobucket, instagram, etc…

Ost
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This is like one of my favorite teas! So good! :D

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! ~
- November sipdowns: 13
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 156

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.

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