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Cameron B. drank Pop Corn by Dammann Frères

4261 tasting notes

Swap Sample Sipdown! (50)

This is the last of the DF teas that VariaTEA was kind enough to send my way.

The base tea here looks quite unusual for DF – the leaves are quite large and twisty. I’m more used to seeing the smaller generic Ceylon base from them. There are kernels of toasted rice and small pieces of popcorn mixed in, yum! It smells buttery and very much like popcorn.

The popcorn flavor here actually reminds me a bit of a sticky rice oolong – it has that same sort of buttery, rich, toasty carbohydrate vibe to it. I really enjoy that flavor!

But the base used here is quite odd. It has a very musty flavor, almost like a low quality white tea. There’s some malt as well, and it is quite smooth with no bitterness or astringency. But that musty note really overpowers the other elements.

It’s unfortunate, because the flavoring is very tasty here, but the base really hurts the overall taste. But I’m not too upset, since I can get my buttery carb fix from a yummy sticky-rice-scented oolong! :D

Flavors: Butter, Malt, Musty, Popcorn, Rice, Smooth, Toasted Rice

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 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… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 1
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 157

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