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Sipdown! (30 | 377)

A well-travelled sample, from Kawaii (I miss you!) by way of derk. Derk was kind enough to share with me some of the massive box of Persian Earl Grey she ordered (12 ounces?! How is that the only available size?) and she also sweetly sent along a few samples for my drinking pleasure. And they were all teas from my wishlist or teas that I’m sure to enjoy, thank you derk! QQ

I’ve never gotten around to ordering from Arthur Dove, despite hearing some good things about them both here and on Instagram. This is a yummy tea though! It actually reminds me of B&B’s Monkey Chops, which I suppose makes sense given they’re both a Sri Lankan black tea base with banana. The flavor reminds me of banana pudding, and there’s something a bit caramelized about it. I don’t get fudge at all, but it sounds like from the description that there isn’t any chocolate here anyway.

I do feel like the slightly tannic, metallic base sort of works against the creaminess that the banana is adding. But I’m also drinking this stone cold, so the base may have been a bit smoother when it was warm. Also I’m sure this would be scrumptious with milk. Yummy banana tea, thanks Kawaii and derk! :3

Flavors: Astringent, Banana, Butterscotch, Caramel, Creamy, Metallic, Sweet, Tannic

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

Kawaii is so kind! And this tea does do well with dairy or nut/grain milk.

Cameron B.

I hope she’s doing well, wherever she is!

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derk

Kawaii is so kind! And this tea does do well with dairy or nut/grain milk.

Cameron B.

I hope she’s doing well, wherever she is!

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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! ~
- November sipdowns: 8
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 151

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

Location

Austin, Texas

Website

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

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