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Cameron B. drank White Christmas by Lupicia

4315 tasting notes

I realized that I’ve been neglecting my Lupicia teas, probably because they’re up on a shelf at the back of my tea cupboard. Well, no more! I figured I would try the holiday teas first, since they’ll be the next limited teas to come out and I may want to make an order. The shipping is rather prohibitive now, but Lupicia is one of my very favorite purveyors so I may need to bite the bullet…

Anyway, starting with this one, which is a white chocolate and apricot black tea. The origin lists India and Kenya, and part of the base is CTC, so I shortened the steep a bit to 2.5 minutes and I was afraid of bitterness.

This is actually better than I remember. The base is a bit brisk, but there is a very nice creamy flavor that could definitely be white chocolate. And I think I may be getting a hint of apricot in the finish? Though I could be imagining it…

I’ll definitely consider this one if end up ordering. The next time, I think I’ll shorten the steep even more.

Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Cream

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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3 comments

Courtney
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Lex asked me about Lupicia just this afternoon and I thought I might have to look at their website (along with the growing list of others). I miss the Orzo I always used to keep around.

Cameron B.
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Unfortunately I don’t think they have Orzo anymore, along with a lot of other teas, since the website was turned over to the Hawaii store.

ashmanra
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Oh, I am glad you reviewed this because it reminded me that there is a Christmas tea my husband would have loved last year but I was too late to order it after I tried my sample!

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Comments

Courtney
Delete

Lex asked me about Lupicia just this afternoon and I thought I might have to look at their website (along with the growing list of others). I miss the Orzo I always used to keep around.

Cameron B.
Delete

Unfortunately I don’t think they have Orzo anymore, along with a lot of other teas, since the website was turned over to the Hawaii store.

ashmanra
Delete

Oh, I am glad you reviewed this because it reminded me that there is a Christmas tea my husband would have loved last year but I was too late to order it after I tried my sample!

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! ~
- January sipdowns: 31
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 31

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