Cameron B. select Send Message

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4161 tasting notes

First of all, I would like to commend the folks over at Harney & Sons for making such an elegant and gorgeous tin for this tea! I have the sachet version and the tin is a lovely white with lavender and copper accents (how did they know I LOVE copper?). Overall, beautifully designed!

The first thing that hit me upon opening the tin was a very strong, almost perfumey fruit scent. Needless to say, I was worried. However, the aroma of the brewed cup is divine: notes of vanilla and toasted almond, similar to how I would expect a vanilla rooibos to smell.

I really enjoy the taste of this tea. The black tea is very smooth, not too strong or bitter, and the flavors (think: vanilla, caramel, mild fruitiness) are present but they do not overpower the tea. I found that adding about a teaspoon or so of sugar really helped to bring out the sweet flavors. Overall, I am very impressed with this tea, and I daresay it would be even better in loose leaf! I purchased my tea at my local high-end grocery store, so sachets were the only option; next time I will definitely order the leaf version to see how it compares.

Flavors: Caramel, Cocoa, Dried Fruit, Vanilla

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

I Like This

8 likes

4 comments

TheTeaFairy
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Lol, now I want the sachet version just for the tin!

Cameron B.
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I tried to add a photo of it to the tea entry, but it didn’t seem to work. Does it have to be approved by an admin or something before it shows up?

TheTeaFairy
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Cameron, you can’t copy a photo, only a link to flickr, photobucket, instagram, etc…

Ost
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This is like one of my favorite teas! So good! :D

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… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- November sipdowns: 13
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 156

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.

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