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Cameron B. drank Ceylon Gem - Ceylon Flower Black by teabento

4011 tasting notes

Another old swap sample from VariaTEA!

It’s been a while since I’ve had a plain Ceylon tea. A few years ago, I ordered a variety of samples of Assam and Ceylon teas from Capital Tea Ltd. and enjoyed trying the different estates. I may have to do that again soon, once I’ve emptied out my cupboard a little bit more.

This particular Ceylon is from the Amba estate in the Uva province, and tea flowers have been added. It’s quite brisk with medium astringency. It tastes similar to an Assam to me, with pleasant malt, tobacco, and raisin notes. There’s also a nice bready flavor and a touch of honey, and perhaps a bit of citrusy acidity. I’m not getting any floral notes, so I’m not sure which flavors, if any, are coming from the dried tea flowers.

It’s pleasant, but perhaps a bit brisk for my tastes. I’m sure this would take milk very well as a breakfast tea, though that’s not really my style. Not going to rate since I don’t really have a point of reference at the moment…

Flavors: Astringent, Bread, Citrus, Honey, Malt, Raisins, Tannic, Tobacco

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

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- May Sipdowns: 13
- Total 2024 Sipdowns: 26

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