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Cameron B. drank Winter Earl by Bush Berry (formerly New Moon Tea Co.)

4330 tasting notes

Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 18

One week until Christmas! I’m simultaneously sad for advents to end, and also relieved that I won’t need to take photos every day anymore, ha ha. XP

I actually picked up a bag of this tea with my advent, because it sounded good and I remembered enjoying it. It’s essentially an Earl Grey Cream with cardamom added. I’m actually not generally a fan of EGC, but here the vanilla is light and fluffy, and the cardamom really brings the bergamot and vanilla together IMO. I’m actually getting a hint of something fruity in this cup as well, I assume it must be coming from the bergamot, but it reminds me of a bright berry of some kind. The base is unobtrusive but not bland, and I would say midway between smooth and brisk. Makes a lovely latte as well!

From Bonne Maman, today it’s Caramel Coffee Spread! I ended up eating mine swirled into (and drizzled onto, heh heh) plain Greek yogurt with a sprinkling of chopped semisweet chocolate. Needless to say, it was heavenly! I could taste a hint of coffee, which was wonderful with the creamy yogurt. I adore Yoplait’s chocolate and coffee Oui yogurt, and this was even better!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDu7I1UPom_/

Flavors: Bergamot, Cardamom, Citrus, Floral, Fruity, Light, Marshmallow, Red Fruits, Soft, Vanilla

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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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! ~
- February sipdowns: 5
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 39

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