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Cameron B. drank Gooseberry Black Tea by Simpson & Vail

4330 tasting notes

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I ordered this one because it sounded interesting, though I don’t have much experience with gooseberries in general.

But it ends up just tasting like that generic chalky berry flavoring that makes me think of mixed berry Tums. Almost like an artificial and cloyingly sweet version of blackcurrant with a dusting of chalk.

Needless to say, not a favorite for me.

Flavors: Artificial, Berry, Black Currant, Blackberry, Chalky, Medicinal, Powdered Sugar, Sweet, Syrupy

Preparation

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

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3 comments

Martin Bednář
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Recreating a gooseberry flavour must be very tricky.

Cameron B.
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I think I’ve only ever had them in jam, and I’m sure they’re quite different fresh. So I’m not sure what this is supposed to taste like ha ha!

Martin Bednář
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Not like a blackcurrant with chalk dusting for sure :)
It has been ages since I had fresh gooseberry though. We had some bushes, but they were often affected by grey mould.

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Comments

Martin Bednář
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Recreating a gooseberry flavour must be very tricky.

Cameron B.
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I think I’ve only ever had them in jam, and I’m sure they’re quite different fresh. So I’m not sure what this is supposed to taste like ha ha!

Martin Bednář
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Not like a blackcurrant with chalk dusting for sure :)
It has been ages since I had fresh gooseberry though. We had some bushes, but they were often affected by grey mould.

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