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4329 tasting notes

Work – 2:00 PM

The Great Cupboard Excavation
Untasted teas remaining: 46

Wow, I’d completely forgotten about this flavor from Lupicia. I’ve never actually had rum raisin ice cream, but I think I’d thoroughly enjoy it since I do love raisins. Plus, you know, ice cream… ❤

I shortened the steep a bit (2.5 minutes instead of 3) because this is almost entirely CTC leaves and I was afraid of it getting bitter. Happily, it’s not bitter at all. The raisin and rum go beautifully with the base tea, so I can’t easily tell which notes are inherent and which are added. There’s a lovely combination of malt, wood, and tobacco flavors, which are complemented well by the dried fruit and rum notes. The dried fruit could easily be a combination of raisin and fig, perhaps with some prune added in. The rum flavor reminds me a bit of butterscotch, which is one of my favorite flavors, and I think the woody notes help to accentuate it a bit too.

I can imagine this would make an excellent latte to really bring out the rum raisin ice cream idea, I may have to try that later…

Flavors: Butterscotch, Dried Fruit, Fig, Malt, Raisins, Rum, Tobacco, Wood

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 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: 3
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 37

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