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Sipdown! (97 | 194)

So we were at Lowe’s yesterday to get some new pendant lights, and there’s a World Market in the same shopping center. I’d never looked at their tea selection before so I figured I would go and check it out since we were in the area. I ended up coming home with one of the semi-recently released Bonne Maman herbal tisanes, and also this fall sampler pack from Republic of Tea. I haven’t historically been a huge fan of theirs, but I like having an opportunity to sample some of their teas without buying a tin of 50 bags, plus the flavors sounded nice.

So here we are! There are four teabags of each of six flavors, and I figured I would try to get in some quick sipdowns since we’re nearing the end of the month, and I only have two teapots’ worth of each tea.

I’ll be honest, this is the tea I was the least excited about. Pumpkin spice teas are never my thing, I always want more pumpkin and it’s never there. And this pretty much lives up to my low expectations, it’s a generic black base with mostly ginger and clove. There are other spices in there, but I’m not tasting them much, maybe a hint of the nutmeg. There’s also apparently pumpkin flavoring, not sure why they bothered, as I don’t get that at all. At least the black tea isn’t astringent, I suppose.

Anyway, generic pumpkin spice black tea. Inoffensive, but glad to have gotten it out of the way. ;)

Flavors: Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Smooth, Spices

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 16 OZ / 473 ML
AJRimmer

Ha the 50 bag tins are such a commitment, I should check out my World Market’s selection! Also I’m eager to hear how the Bonne Maman teas turn out!

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Comments

AJRimmer

Ha the 50 bag tins are such a commitment, I should check out my World Market’s selection! Also I’m eager to hear how the Bonne Maman teas turn out!

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… ;)

~ 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

Location

Austin, Texas

Website

https://www.instagram.com/tea...

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