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Cameron B. drank Bubble Gum Matcha by DAVIDsTEA

4330 tasting notes

DAVIDsTEA Matcha Advent Calendar – Day 23

Oh, boy… This is the one that everyone in the Instagram chat group has been dreading. I don’t hate bubblegum, but am still not thrilled for this flavor. But thinking about how I would enjoy it most, I thought of Ramuné, which to me has a sort of bubble gum-esque flavor. And I happen to have some lemon lime sparkling water in my fridge, so I decided on tea pop! I mixed the matcha with an ounce or so of warm water, then poured over ice and topped with the sparkling water.

I wish I would’ve checked the tea entry before I decided on this, as it turns out this isn’t actually bubble gum flavored… It has apple, pineapple, and vanilla flavors instead.

So it doesn’t really taste like Ramuné. From the matcha I’m mostly getting an artificial chalky note and hints of grass and bitterness. It does seem candylike, but not like bubblegum unfortunately. Harrumph! At least the sparkling water is yummy…

On to happier, jam-filled times! Today it’s Mandarin Spread. Now me and marmalade don’t really see eye-to-eye, so I can’t say I’m stoked about this one… It has quite a bit of bitterness from the peel, which is my main issue with this type of jam. The mandarin flavor is bright and zesty though, and it does taste very similar to clementines, which is the mandarin variety that I eat most often. Still not a favorite though, due to the bitter peel…

(today’s advent teas: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJTedoAugd/)

Flavors: Artificial, Bitter, Candy, Grass, Powdered Sugar, Sugar, Sweet

Preparation

Iced 3 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… ;)

~ 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