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Cameron B. drank Baklava Black Tea by Simpson & Vail

4330 tasting notes

Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar – Day 2

(originally written November 2nd)

The way they put together the Simpson & Vail advent box is really interesting. The tea pouches are just layered in the box with some craft paper crimped filling stuff. But the way they’ve layered them makes it so that you can only see the topmost pouch well enough to read it, so you don’t spoil the surprise for future days when you open the box. I do make sure not to look as I pull the sample out, otherwise I would know what tomorrow’s blend is. It’s quite a nice idea and I really like their cute little pouches with bows printed on them. Plus they are conveniently the perfect size for my 16-ounce teapot.

Hmm… I was hoping for more from this tea. Baklava is generally very honey and nut-heavy, with some spices as well. This… I’m not even sure how to describe what it tastes like. I guess there is some light spicing, mostly clove. But otherwise it just tastes “flavored”. No like any specific flavor, but like there has been flavoring added… I don’t know how else to describe it. Artificial?

Definitely doesn’t taste at all like baklava to me. Just a mildly clove-y tea with a weak and slightly musty base and some form of flavoring added. Ah, well, you can’t win them all…

Flavors: Artificial, Cloves, Musty

Preparation

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

I Like This

10 likes

2 comments

ashmanra
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Gee thanks. Now I want baklava…

Bluegreen
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This tea deserved to be tried for its name alone.

People who liked this

Comments

ashmanra
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Gee thanks. Now I want baklava…

Bluegreen
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This tea deserved to be tried for its name alone.

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! ~
- 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