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Cameron B. drank English Caramel by Lupicia

4161 tasting notes

Another Lupicia tea, this one came from TeaBrat. I am always on the lookout for simply flavored black teas done well (such as caramel and vanilla), so I asked for a sample of this one in our swap. The leaves are a very dark chocolate brown with a reddish hue, and there are a few stems included. Dry scent is very sweet caramel with a distinct salty note.

The steeped tea also smells strongly of sweet caramel with cream and salt aromas. Hm, this tea is very interesting. There’s a distinct roasted flavor that reminds me of coffee along with a dark burnt sugar note. These two form the base for a creamy sweetness reminiscent of a lighter caramel, such as a creme brulee or custard. I did add a touch of sugar to my cup (a scant half teaspoon of raw sugar) and I’m sure this helped to balance the burnt and roasty notes. I can see this being even more lovely with a touch of milk added, and there is the lightest astringency that this would also help to balance.

Flavors: Brown Sugar, Burnt Sugar, Caramel, Coffee, Malt, Roasted, Sweet

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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1 comments

Lariel of Lórien
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I have been wanted to try that one. The Milk Caramel is really good.

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Lariel of Lórien
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I have been wanted to try that one. The Milk Caramel is really good.

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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… ;)

~ 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