4371 Tasting Notes

65

Sipdown! (25 | 346)

This one is also on a black base, so it has the same very earthy and mineral taste.

The mango is a bit creamy and slightly generically tropical. So it reminds me more of a mango or tropical candy, or maybe one of those Lupicia Hawaiian exclusive teas, like Hua Ki.

It’s fine, but not really mango to me.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CP_3u8lBIy2/

Flavors: Creamy, Earth, Mineral, Sweet, Tropical

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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70

Sipdown! (24 | 345)

I got four individually wrapped teabags from this company from a very sweet Instagram friend, so I figured I would steep them all up together and have a nice little tea tasting this afternoon.

They’re all mostly just okay, to be honest. The black base here is very earthy, which detracts a bit from the overall taste. The passion fruit flavor is nice, but a bit too light, so it gets mostly overpowered by the black tea. I do taste it more clearly at the end of the sip, and it’s slightly tart and quite natural.

Not something I would buy though, because of the black base.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CP_3u8lBIy2/

Flavors: Earth, Mineral, Passion Fruit, Tart, Tropical

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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72

Sipdown! (23 | 344)

Another one that I chose to cold brew.

It’s light but very tasty. It definitely does remind me of apple pie, though with a bit of coconut thrown in. There’s some light sweetness from the maple and apples, and it’s just the right amount to give it a more desserty flavor without it tasting sweet. The cinnamon pops a bit toward the end of the sip and, together with the coconut, leaves an aftertaste reminiscent of horchata.

It’s sort of like an apple pie + horchata mashup, and I’m here for it ha ha. Bumping the rating just a little since it’s much yummier cold brewed.

Flavors: Apple, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Coconut, Creamy, Rice Pudding, Sweet

Preparation
Iced 8 min or more 20 g 34 OZ / 1000 ML

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82

This is one of two Darjeelings I picked up from Capital Tea Ltd. Historically I haven’t been a huge fan of Darjeeling, but I haven’t had a ton of experience with it so I figured it was worth a shot.

This is honestly really good though! I’m surprised by the complete and utter lack of astringency. It’s also quite light, with a soft breadiness and very light dried fruit notes. A hint of cinnamon honey shows itself at the middle and especially the end of the sip. It actually somewhat reminds me of Bai Hao, which is one of my favorite types of oolong.

So smooth and easy-drinking, but still flavorful! Happy that I chose this one to try, as I’ll enjoy sipping down the rest of the 30g package. ❤

Flavors: Bread, Cinnamon, Dried Fruit, Grain, Hay, Honey, Raisins, Sweet

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

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75

Sipdown! (22 | 343)

Made the rest of this as a cold brew after not loving it hot.

I do think it’s a bit better, as I don’t get quite as much earthiness from the base. Not getting much honey or brown sugar, though I didn’t taste those in the hot cuppa either.

Mostly it’s a slightly earthy Earl with lavender. Pleasant, but not something I would order just because I have so many other Earls and lavender isn’t my favorite.

Flavors: Bergamot, Citrus, Earth, Floral, Lavender, Mineral

Preparation
Iced 8 min or more 20 g 34 OZ / 1000 ML

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90

Sipdown! (21 | 342)

Making great headway on these S&V holiday teas!

I was a bit sad to see the end of this one, it’s very good. It tastes just like those iced oatmeal cookies that you can buy in a package. Sweet, buttery, slightly cinnamony with a nice biscuity flavor. I don’t really taste chocolate at all, though it’s supposed to be there, but I can’t say that I’m upset about it hah. I love oatmeal cookies, so I much prefer this flavor!

The cinnamon is light enough that it doesn’t really veer too much into holiday territory, but would be a great year-round tisane! I think this one needs to go on my wishlist…

Flavors: Butter, Cinnamon, Cookie, Sweet

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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60

Sipdown! (20 | 341)

Another cold brew from the subscription. I didn’t realize this had butterfly pea flower, so the color was a fun surprise when I started pouring the water into the pitcher. It came out a dark red-violet color in the end.

Unfortunately, this one is pretty generic and boring. It’s sort of just tart and vaguely fruity, with a noticeable mustiness from all of the pea flower. There’s maybe a bit of peach, but I certainly wouldn’t guess blueberry.

Meh!

Flavors: Apple, Hibiscus, Musty, Peach, Sweet, Tart

Preparation
Iced 8 min or more 20 g 34 OZ / 1000 ML

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70

Sipdown! (19 | 340)

I cold brewed this one, and the Blueberry Peach fruit tisane that also came in the May subscription box. After all, the theme was cold brew, plus fruit tisanes are sort of weird hot IMO. The dry leaf, oddly, smelled like banana candy?

This is very interesting. It actually sort of reminds me of their old Elderflower Prosecco, even though there’s no elderflower in it. I wonder if it’s the lime leaves that are giving me that impression? I do get pear, and it’s definitely crisp fresh pear.

There’s something about it, though, that reminds me of artificial sweetener or something. And it sort of ruins it for me. Otherwise, this is a very refreshing and crisp pear tisane!

Flavors: Apple, Artificial, Champagne, Elderflower, Floral, Pear, Sweet

Preparation
Iced 8 min or more 20 g 34 OZ / 1000 ML

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80

Sipdown! (18 | 339)

Someday I’ll finish off all of these Vahdam advent leftovers, heh heh… Let’s hope it’s before this advent season! XD

Anyway, I actually quite like this one. It’s a light and fragrant black tea, and the dry leaf has a deliciously honeyed aroma. The rose isn’t overpowering (luckily for me) and melds well with the citrusy cardamom. I also get a strong saffron flavor here, which I assume is also the source of what I’m detecting as honey. I suppose it could also be from the nuts, but that seems less likely to me.

Anyway, I find the combination very enchanting. This might be the only one from Vahdam so far that I would consider ordering, just because it’s quite unique. It would make for a lovely afternoon tea break with some small cakes…

Flavors: Cardamom, Citrus, Earth, Floral, Honey, Rose, Saffron, Smooth, Spices, Sweet

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

Ha yep, I’ve been working on two of my advent calendars the past couple of weeks, also with the goal of finishing before next advent season!

Cameron B.

Luckily almost all of mine were single serving, so it’s just Vahdam that’s left over heh.

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82

This is my daily morning tea lately, as I’m working through sipping down these Capital Tea packets. I don’t have a ton of experience with Assam as I tend more toward Chinese and Taiwanese teas.

This is mostly what I would expect though – very malty with tobacco and raisin notes. There’s a lot of depth and richness to the raisin, which is lovely, along with some hints of dark brown sugar. Astringency is present but fairly light.

I will say I can tell even when drinking this that I shouldn’t have it on an empty stomach ha ha, as it’s quite acidic and strong. I’m not really a tea with milk person, but I’ll have to try it with this one as it can definitely take it!

Flavors: Astringent, Autumn Leaf Pile, Brown Sugar, Malt, Metallic, Molasses, Raisins, Sweet, Tannic, Tobacco

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

Sounds wonderful! I’ll have to look into this one!

Cameron B.

I tried a smattering of Assam and Ceylon teas from Capital Tea Ltd. a few years ago, and I remember being pretty pleased with all of them, especially given their prices.

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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! ~
- July sipdowns: 2
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 105

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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