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: 29
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 29
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
Location
Austin, Texas
Website
https://www.instagram.com/tea...
FWIW, my DT’s salesperson told me that this can be an issue with the higher grade of DT’s matcha. maybe that’s the case here?
Harrumph. :P
Indeed. But maybe there is a workaround.
Maybe I’ll try to get in the habit of drinking matcha plain more often…
Hmm. Let us know how that works out.
Maybe today I will venture out to see if eggnog is still available. That eggnog matcha that I had last week was so very delicious.
That’s odd, I prepare my lattes with oat milk too and don’t have problems unless things are overheated. Possibly something was off with the oat milk itself?
It’s the same carton I’ve been using for a few days, so I don’t think so… I’ll have to try it again today, I’m determined to make it work ha ha.