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Cameron B. drank Black Currant Black Tea by Simpson & Vail

4305 tasting notes

Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 7

I enjoy black currant, but for some reason I’m never enthused by the idea of it as a standalone tea flavor. I don’t know why, because I do really enjoy it. I guess I find single-flavor teas sort of boring? Unless it’s a really unique flavor.

This is lovely though. I think it’s the right amount of flavoring, and it’s the classic black currant with a balance of rich, syrupy, and deep berry with a side of tang. To be clear, the flavor itself isn’t tangy, as in tart, but I guess I find black currant to have a tangy element. If that makes any sense at all, lol! The base is pretty boring, smooth and a bit earthy.

On to Bonne Maman! I was really excited when I saw today’s Wild Blueberry-Maple Syrup Spread. Tasting it plain, I could definitely detect the sweet mineral quality of the (true) maple syrup, and a pleasant woodiness. However, when I ate it on my toast, I would’ve thought it was plain blueberry jam. Tasty though! It was a bit too sweet plain, but I think the bit of salted butter on the toast brought out some nice tart notes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDSfsg5yuwp/

Flavors: Berry, Black Currant, Earthy, Rich, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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1 comments

Dustin
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I feel the same way with single flavored teas! And adding vanilla doesn’t count as a second flavor.

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Dustin
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I feel the same way with single flavored teas! And adding vanilla doesn’t count as a second flavor.

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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… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- January sipdowns: 21
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 21

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