Cameron B. select Send Message

346 Followers / 342 Following

4158 tasting notes

Sipdown! (41 | 402)

Last one from Magic Hour! I chose one gemstone tea to try, and this just sounded so good with the descriptors of plum and spice.

I will say though, I don’t get a lot of either of those things. There’s definitely a quite subtle plum note, that becomes a bit more prominent in the finish. I’m not sure I get spice at all, maybe a teeny hint of cinnamon. Mostly it actually tastes like oats to me, which I assume is from the silver needle. Almost like a very light oat crumble or cookie, with just a touch of butteriness. There’s a hint of a musty or chalky note, and that’s probably down to the butterfly pea flower. Also I do get a light, crisp apple note.

Overall, it’s pleasant but I don’t think I would repurchase it, as I was hoping for more of the fruity notes. Also I feel like the color in the photo is super misleading, mine always looked like some kind of murky mouthwash ha ha.

Flavors: Butter, Chalk, Cinnamon, Creamy, Hay, Musty, Oats, Plum, Silky, Smooth, Stonefruit, Sweet, Thick

Preparation

175 °F / 79 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

I Like This

14 likes

0 comments

People who liked this

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: 7
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 150

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