Cameron B. select Send Message

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Cameron B. drank Irish Cream (formerly Fairytale of NY) by Bird & Blend Tea Co.

4320 tasting notes

Bird & Blend Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 9

This is probably my favorite holiday tea from B&B, so I was happy to see its name on the side of the little green box this morning. :)

Steeped both sachets in a 14-ish ounce mug. This is such a cozy tea to me… The roasted coffee and dandelion root, with the rich cocoa shells and the sweetness and slight creaminess of the vanilla. All on a pleasantly woody, but not medicinal, rooibos base. Being inspired by Irish coffee, I think it’s smart to use rooibos as it does give it a slightly boozy note.

I know some people mentioned that they felt this was less flavorful than usual? It’s hard to say for me, I’ll have to try some out of my tin later and compare…

Flavors: Alcohol, Caramel, Cocoa, Coffee, Creamy, Dark Chocolate, Roasted, Smooth, Sweet, Vanilla, Wood

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 14 OZ / 414 ML

I Like This

15 likes

3 comments

Courtney
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Yay for a delicious cup!

gmathis
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I think rooibos was created solely as a cradle for chocolate and vanilla and ice creamy flavors. I’ll drink it with other additives, but I don’t think they mesh as well.

Crowkettle
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Second gmathis. As a fruit fan.. I still rather have a rooibos mixed with cream and chocolate dessert flavours.

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Comments

Courtney
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Yay for a delicious cup!

gmathis
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I think rooibos was created solely as a cradle for chocolate and vanilla and ice creamy flavors. I’ll drink it with other additives, but I don’t think they mesh as well.

Crowkettle
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Second gmathis. As a fruit fan.. I still rather have a rooibos mixed with cream and chocolate dessert flavours.

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… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- January sipdowns: 34
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 34

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