Cameron B. select Send Message

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88
drank No. 9 Yunnan Full Leaf Black Tea by Steven Smith Teamaker
4330 tasting notes

Sipdown! (134 QQ)

I wasn’t planning on writing a note for this, but wow this came out so fruity today! It’s all about the raisins and dried apricot in both aroma and taste. It literally smells like apricot preserves! I’m not sure what I did different, but damn is this good… The fruit isn’t quite as extreme in the taste as the smell, but the stonefruit is extremely present compared to other Yunnan or black teas in general. I am amazed! I would absolutely order this one if it’s going to be like this every time! :O

The only difference in the preparation is that since I brewed it in a glass Pyrex cup, the leaves had a bit more room to unfold. But I can’t imagine that making such a difference considering they usually have plenty of room in my brew basket! So weird!

I wish I could share this cup of tea with everyone here! Lol.

Flavors: Apricot, Raisins, Stonefruit

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
4 comments
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boychik
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Is water the same? I only drink with spring water at Poconos.. Water here is stinky. I swear. I want to go hoooomeee

Cameron B.
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Yeah, it’s from the same filter pitcher and in the same kettle. So weird! :P Little apricot fairies came and took a bath while I wasn’t looking!

boychik
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I have this tea but never opened the pouch. Wanted to sipdown other teas. Looking forward to try
I luv any stone fruit notes especially apricots fresh or dried .

Cameron B.
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Well, I hope the stonefruit comes out for you! My first note for this tea had no mention of stonefruit, lol. I’m reading it and thinking “this sounds like a completely different tea”…

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Comments

boychik
Delete

Is water the same? I only drink with spring water at Poconos.. Water here is stinky. I swear. I want to go hoooomeee

Cameron B.
Delete

Yeah, it’s from the same filter pitcher and in the same kettle. So weird! :P Little apricot fairies came and took a bath while I wasn’t looking!

boychik
Delete

I have this tea but never opened the pouch. Wanted to sipdown other teas. Looking forward to try
I luv any stone fruit notes especially apricots fresh or dried .

Cameron B.
Delete

Well, I hope the stonefruit comes out for you! My first note for this tea had no mention of stonefruit, lol. I’m reading it and thinking “this sounds like a completely different tea”…

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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… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- February sipdowns: 5
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 39

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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