78
drank Assam Superb by Fortnum & Mason
4213 tasting notes

Fortnum & Mason Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 9

So I know two other people who have this advent this year, and we all three had different teas for today. Oops? XD

I saw some nice golden tips among the black, though the leaves are somewhat small still. For me, this is just confirmation that I much prefer Assam to Ceylon, as I find this so much more enjoyable than yesterday’s tea. Strong, malty, rich in flavor but not bitter (I kept the steep somewhat short). Bottom notes of caramelized brown sugar and syrupy dark raisins. So supremely comforting and simultaneously bracing for a morning on which I was feeling both cold and tired.

It’s not a fantabulously amazing example of Assam, but what it does, it does well. And I will enjoy sipping my way through the 25 gram tin. ❤

Jam time! Today’s offering is Strawberry-Linden Blossom Spread. I don’t have a ton of experience with linden, but I have had both the leaf and the flower in tisane form, and I quite like it. I find it a bit reminiscent of elderflower, with that light and airy floral quality. Anyway! The linden here is quite subtle to my palate. I can detect it if I taste the jam plain, and it adds a gentle floral note. But I don’t think I can really taste it once it’s on toast. Delicious strawberry goodness though!

Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Brown Sugar, Caramelized Sugar, Dried Fruit, Malt, Raisins, Wood

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
gmathis

Your jammy adventures are making me drool!

ashmanra

Oooh, when I get to this one I will have to have it with my jam, too! That sounds good.

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Comments

gmathis

Your jammy adventures are making me drool!

ashmanra

Oooh, when I get to this one I will have to have it with my jam, too! That sounds good.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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! ~
- December sipdowns: 0
- 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 (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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