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Cameron B. drank Spiced Pumpkin Pie by Bird & Blend Tea Co.

4161 tasting notes

So I just ordered the DAVIDsTEA advent calendar, and used one of my rewards to get a package of Pumpkin Earl Grey after hearing good things about it on Tea with Jann. I don’t generally consider myself a fan of DAVIDsTEA because of all of the “food” type teas and teas with chocolate chunks and stevia. But it’s been several years since I tried their advent calendar, and I figured it’s time to give it another chance. Also, the cute tree box helped to push me over the edge… :P

Anyway! I was feeling a pumpkin spice sort of tea after ordering the Pumpkin Earl Grey, so I pulled this one out to steep up. Can you tell I’m ready for fall? XD

Honestly I’m finding this a bit mediocre though. And I fully admit, I’m not a big pumpkin spice person, so I’m sure that has something to do with it. But I’m mostly just getting quite a bit of clove, some cinnamon and ginger, and a generic black base. Not really picking up on the vanilla or any pumpkin notes. Maybe a teeny hint of creaminess from the vanilla if I really search for it?

Anyway, it’s fine but it doesn’t warrant its 80+ rating for me. But clearly I’m in the minority! It is also probably nearing a year old, so maybe that has something to do with it. (shrug)

Flavors: Cinnamon, Clove, Creamy, Ginger, Spices, Tannic

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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3 comments

Courtney
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Have you ordered (or contemplated ordering) any other advents!

Cameron B.
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Ha ha, not yet! I’m thinking about Fortnum & Mason and/or Theodor just because I’ve never tried any of their teas… I think I’ll probably limit myself to at most three calendars this year, last year was too many! XD

Courtney
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Oooh! I can’t wait to see your thoughts on them. :)

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Comments

Courtney
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Have you ordered (or contemplated ordering) any other advents!

Cameron B.
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Courtney
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Oooh! I can’t wait to see your thoughts on them. :)

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