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Cameron B. drank Aquamarine by Chroma Tea

4310 tasting notes

Sipdown! (39 | 75)

I was a bit underwhelmed by this one, especially considering the glowing reviews.

It sounds nice in theory, but in practice I find there to be way too much chamomile (and maybe it’s the marigold too, I’m not sure I know what that tastes like). I can taste some spearmint as well, and a touch of roasty oolong, but I only get bits and pieces of the other ingredients. Mostly I taste the honeyed pollen notes of the chamomile, paired with sweet and cooling spearmint.

Obviously it’s not bad, I just wanted more of the fennel and any of the cinnamon or cacao. Not sure what the black tea component is, but I’m not tasting that either. Maybe it’s heavy on the honey notes, and for that reason it’s melding in with the chamomile? Oh well, clearly I’m in the minority on this one! :P

Flavors: Chamomile, Fennel, Floral, Honey, Mint, Pollen, Roasted, Smooth, Spearmint, Sweet, Toasty

Preparation

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

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15 likes

1 comments

derk
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I have to leaf this one heavy for me, 5g : 10oz, to get the full spectrum of flavor. So many different shapes and sizes and weights to the ingredients.

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derk
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I have to leaf this one heavy for me, 5g : 10oz, to get the full spectrum of flavor. So many different shapes and sizes and weights to the ingredients.

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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: 27
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 27

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