75

From the winter subscription! I find it so interesting how Old Barrel offers mixed teas like this. I wasn’t super excited for this one in particular, because I don’t love hibiscus-heavy fruit tisanes generally, and I also don’t love berry and fruit with rooibos…

However, I think they did a good job on the balance with this one. It has tartness, but it’s not overwhelming like the plain Blueberry probably would be (for me at least). The berry flavor is nice, it doesn’t taste chalky and the tartness helps it taste more fresh and less syrupy. I can also taste the rooibos, it gives a smooth and slightly woody base, and then the vanilla adds sweetness and a touch of creaminess, and synergizes well with the blueberry flavor.

I like it more than I expected, and I don’t get any medicinal vibes from it, which is a relief. I don’t think I would go out and buy it, just because I don’t generally reach for rooibos or fruit tisanes, but I’ll have no issue sipping through my small tin!

Flavors: Acidic, Apple, Berries, Berry, Blueberry, Creamy, Fruity, Hibiscus, Raspberry, Rooibos, Sweet, Tart, Vanilla, Woody

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

This sounds nice! I’ve liked all the Old Barrel teas I’ve sampled. Nothing too heavy-handed on any of their blends.

Michelle

If I didn’t have so. much. tea. from BF and CM sales I’d jump on this subscription. But keep the tea notes coming so I can justify signing up in March :)

Cameron B.

Ha ha will do! Old Barrel is definitely my favorite new-to-me company from last year. And I like that it’s only quarterly so I’m not inundated with tea every month! :P

Michelle

So I joined the subscription, thanks for being a tea-enabler :)

Cameron B.

You’re welcome! XD

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Comments

gmathis

This sounds nice! I’ve liked all the Old Barrel teas I’ve sampled. Nothing too heavy-handed on any of their blends.

Michelle

If I didn’t have so. much. tea. from BF and CM sales I’d jump on this subscription. But keep the tea notes coming so I can justify signing up in March :)

Cameron B.

Ha ha will do! Old Barrel is definitely my favorite new-to-me company from last year. And I like that it’s only quarterly so I’m not inundated with tea every month! :P

Michelle

So I joined the subscription, thanks for being a tea-enabler :)

Cameron B.

You’re welcome! XD

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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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