Cameron B. select Send Message

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Cameron B. drank Peking Opera Organic by Camellia Sinensis

4310 tasting notes

Wow, I had a huge influx of tea samples today! I received no fewer than four packages from various tea friends, and each had a generous selection of tea samples inside. So now my poor cupboard has swelled from 95 to 145 teas! Oof. Thank you, generous Steepster friends! This tea came from Roswell Strange, and it’s first up to be tried because I’ve been curious about it for quite some time. The white tea leaves are somewhat broken, but that’s pretty much to be expected when white tea gets mailed. There are beautiful yellow helichrysum flowers mixed in, along with some pieces of star anise. Dry scent is fairly strong on the licorice.

The steeped cup smells quite licorice-y as well, but I can smell the hay-like white tea underneath. Ooh, the taste is mostly licorice as well, but I actually like licorice (as opposed to licorice root). I can taste the pear a little bit, and it actually makes a nice accent and aftertaste. The white tea base is smooth and light, with a strong oat-like presence. Overall, this one is interesting. Perhaps a tiny bit less licorice would serve it well. :)

Flavors: Licorice, Oats, Pear, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation

185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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1 comments

OMGsrsly
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I keep thinking about this one, and I totally should have added some to my order. Oops. :)

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OMGsrsly
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I keep thinking about this one, and I totally should have added some to my order. Oops. :)

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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