Cameron B. select Send Message

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Cameron B. drank Thé des Impératrices by Compagnie & Co (formerly Compagnie Coloniale)

4330 tasting notes

knittingopera Swap Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 3 (my pick)
Theme: Sugared Berries
Her pick: Cranberry Vanilla Wonderland from Celestial Seasonings

Going with my own swap advent pick for my first tea again, because it’s the only black tea I have for today ha ha… Hardly surprising, since my DIY advent is herbal and Bush Berry is also majority herbals I would say.

I really like this one, it tastes like some kind of pistachio dacquoise or meringue layered with raspberry jam. It’s not really cookie-like as there’s no buttery pastry element, but it does still make me think of cute little almond-flavored thumbprint cookies filled with rich raspberry jam. The base has a definite woodiness to it, but I don’t really find it distracting.

From Bonne Maman, today was Apple-Quince-Honey Spread. I must’ve checked to make sure I opened the right door three times, because we just had Quince Spread on the 1st. Odd to put them so close together, but whatever ha ha. I actually liked this better than the plain quince, as it was less over-sweet and had nice chunks of al dente apple in it. Plus it’s nice to see an apple preserve with no cinnamon! Would definitely purchase this one if it were available. :)

Flavors: Almond, Jam, Marzipan, Meringue, Pistachio, Raspberry, Rich, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy, Woody

Preparation

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

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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! ~
- 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