Cameron B. select Send Message

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Cameron B. drank Earl Grey Polish Blend N°18 by Kusmi Tea

4402 tasting notes

Always happy to try another Kusmi blend! This one is a sample that Nicole was kind enough to send me (thank you!). I’ve tried their other earl grey teas (“Russian Blends”) and enjoyed most of them, so I’m happy to try this one as well. This is an earl grey with lemon and lime flavors added, which sounds lovely and possibly similar to Anastasia (lemon, lime, orange). Dry scent is strong bergamot with some citrus accents.

First off, I will say that the base tea here is a bit earthier than I would like, which detracts a little bit from the experience. However, I do enjoy the flavoring. It’s mostly bergamot, but I can also taste the lemon and especially the lime alongside it. I added a little bit of raw sugar to the second half of my cup to see if that would help smooth out the earthy taste. It did help a bit, but I think I would prefer to stick to Anastasia or even Troika if I want an earl grey with extra citrus kick. :)

Flavors: Bergamot, Earth, Lemon, Lime

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 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. 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: 15
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 118

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