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Cameron B. drank China Lichee Black Tea by Golden Sail Brand

4330 tasting notes

Home – 8:30 PM

The Great Cupboard Excavation
Untasted teas remaining: 28

Finally it’s the weekend! This week has been absolutely awful at work, I’ve been dragging every night by the time I got home. So thank goodness that’s over! Plus I get to go visit my soon-to-be house tomorrow, and supposedly they’ve started the tile and countertops so that will be exciting to see.

I think I bought this tea at the Asian supermarket the last time I went for a restock, because why not? That being said, I’m not sure how on Earth I ended up with multiple lychee-flavored black teas. It’s not as if it’s a favorite flavor of mine or anything, yet somehow I have 3 or 4 different versions. (shrug)

The leaves looked rather small and flaky, so I shortened the steep to 2.5 minutes.

I’m actually quite (pleasantly) surprised by how mild the lychee flavoring is. Based on the smell of the dry leaf, I expected it to be much stronger. But it’s actually quite nicely balanced with the black tea. The base tea is strong enough to hold its own, and has some earthy notes. It’s a little bit brisk as well, but with only the tiniest hint of bitterness. The lychee is nice and light, juicy, and floral.

Overall, this is much better than I expected, especially for the price.

Flavors: Bitter, Earth, Floral, Lychee, Malt, Smooth

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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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! ~
- 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