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Cameron B. drank Black Tea with Apple by Fortnum & Mason

4161 tasting notes

Fortnum & Mason Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 10

YAY! Finally, a flavored tea! \o/

I was so excited that I steeped this up in a pretty pink teapot and drank it from a proper cup and saucer. Fancy tea time this morning!

I agree with ashmanra that the flavoring is very subtle here. The base is smooth, earthy, a touch woody. Definitely a Chinese black tea of some sort. Very mellow for the morning, but would be perfect for an afternoon treat. I do taste some apple, a touch of tart Granny Smith in the background adding a refreshing crisp quality. But if I wasn’t already aware of the flavoring, I might guess that it was a natural note of the tea, as it’s very subdued. It almost reminds me of the cucumber-like flavor that I find in some silver needle teas. Quite a refreshing tea! Would probably be lovely cold brewed.

On to the jam. Today it was Peach-Mint Spread, and I really enjoyed it! The peach was sweet and juicy, and the mint was present but gentle enough to not bring it to a medicinal place. Just a touch of minty freshness that was a lovely accent to the sweet peach. Too bad it’s not one of their permanent flavors, I would definitely order more!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXUOG4muFJn/

Flavors: Apple, Apple Skins, Cucumber, Earth, Green Apple, Hay, Musty, Smooth, Tart, Wood

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 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… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- November sipdowns: 13
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 156

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.

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