Cameron B. select Send Message

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Cameron B. drank Popping Dragon (2024 New Year Tea) by Lupicia

4078 tasting notes

So, of course, I couldn’t resist picking up the year of the dragon teas from Lupicia. They were only offered in tins, and were a whopping $17 each, but both flavors sounded so good that I had to get them anyway… XP

This one is a black tea base with peach, lychee, and citrus. The black tea itself is very light and fluffy in texture, similar to Momijigari I would say. I do really enjoy this one. It smelled quite citrusy, but the lychee actually stands out the most to me flavor-wise. It has a lovely natural sweetness and that light-yet-juicy, nectarous floral fruitiness that is characteristic of lychee. The peach is more of a supporting note, but I think it rounds out the flavor well and adds a bit of richness and a hint of tart. Citrus is quite subtle, but it tastes a bit like there’s some grapefruit involved.

A nice one! Too bad it’s limited addition, but luckily there are many other teas I love from Lupicia. :P

Flavors: Citrus, Earthy, Floral, Fruity, Grapefruit, Juicy, Lychee, Mineral, Nectar, Peach, Smooth, Sweet, Tart

Preparation

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

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Inkling
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Sounds lovely!

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Inkling
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Sounds lovely!

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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, KBeauty, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- July Sipdowns: 5
- Total 2024 Sipdowns: 71

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