Sipdown! (85 | 182)

So I signed up for the B&B subscription again, because why not. But I gotta say, this first month’s package was really not my jam. There was a fruit tisane with butterfly pea flower, a violet-flavored tea (went into the TTB), and a chocolate-flavored tea. Basically all things that I probably won’t like ha ha. So not off to a great start with the subscription…

Honestly, this one is fine. It might even be good for someone who likes chocolate flavoring, I don’t know. The beetroot adds color without making it taste overly earthy, and overall it has a rather light chocolate flavor, which I think makes sense given the inspiration. But even if I did like chocolate teas, I feel like this would still be boring. It’s just a Sri Lankan black base with some mild chocolate flavoring and a color gimmick. I don’t really pick up on the vanilla at all, which is a shame. There is a slight booziness to the chocolate that makes me think of cherry cordials (my father’s favorite).

Also, to me it really doesn’t make sense to make a red velvet tea without taking into account the cream cheese frosting, which is most people’s favorite part. My grandma actually made it with a different type of frosting, but cream cheese is definitely the standard.

Flavors: Alcohol, Artificial, Chocolate, Creamy, Metallic, Milk Chocolate, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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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… ;)

~ 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

Location

Austin, Texas

Website

https://www.instagram.com/tea...

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