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ashmanra’s Sipdown Challenge – “A tea with more than 5 ingredients”

When I saw this prompt, I immediately started thinking about which tea from my cupboard would possibly have the most ingredients. I didn’t actually go through and check them all, because I’m too lazy for that. But I settled on this tisane, which has 9 ingredients (and which I hadn’t yet tried).

Now I love woodsy teas, so of course this evergreen concoction is right up my alley. This has two types of fir, as well as spruce AND juniper. Plus Labrador tea, which apparently also has a piney flavor. I was a bit afraid it would be like licking a pine tree, but actually it’s quite lovely.

The main flavor is definitely those resinous evergreen notes, and I do taste a variety of them – some more sappy, others leaning a bit toward sage, but also with some fresh and sweet nuances. And then that sweet blueberry comes in and really smooths the edges of the whole thing, while also adding a subtle syrupy base note.

Lovely, and a perfect companion for contemplation when winter comes around.

Flavors: Blueberry, Earthy, Evergreen, Fir, Herbaceous, Pine, Resin, Sage, Sap, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 4 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
Martin Bednář

What’s wrong on licking a pine tree?

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Martin Bednář

What’s wrong on licking a pine tree?

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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! ~
- 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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