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Cameron B. drank Original Chai by Chico Chai

4158 tasting notes

Sipdown!

Okay, traditional steeping method this time.

I followed the package instructions but scaled it up by 1.5 to use the rest of the sample, so it was about 2 teaspoons of tea for 12 ounces of water simmered for 10 minutes. Then I added about 3/8 C of milk and 1.5 teaspoons of sugar and simmered for 5 more minutes before straining into a mug.

I actually ended up adding a little more sugar and milk because the cardamom and black pepper here are just so strong. The front of the sip is creamy and sweet with some nice cinnamon, clove, and ginger, and then WHAM the cardamom and black pepper come walloping in at the end to punch me in the throat. The black pepper in particular leaves my throat tingling with heat.

Because of the super pepper kick, I’m not sure I would drink this one again. It’s entirely possible I got unlucky with my sample and because I used the dust at the bottom of packet that the pepper was out of proportion. But this just has too much of a pepper kick for me. :P

Flavors: Bitter, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Pepper, Spices, Spicy

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 8 min or more 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… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- November sipdowns: 7
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 150

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