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Cameron B. drank Ultra Violet Matcha by Bird & Blend Tea Co.

4158 tasting notes

Sipdown! (2)

Another one from my B&B matcha advent calendar leftovers, circa 2018. There was probably a teaspoon and a half left in the mini tin? Prepared it with 8 ounces of warm water and 4 ounces of warm milk.

Unfortunately I’m mostly getting a lot of bitterness from this one. There is a floral note, and it’s very powdery and candylike, which makes sense given the inspiration is Parma Violets. So it’s creamy, sweet, and slightly artificial floral and then a big wallop of bitterness at the end of the sip.

Not exactly pleasant, though I wouldn’t expect this to be a flavor I would enjoy anyway. I’m going to leave the rating as it was, since I seem to have liked this one better the last time I tried it… Not sure what happened with the strong bitter flavor this time around.

Flavors: Bitter, Candy, Floral, Powdered Sugar

Preparation

175 °F / 79 °C 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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2 comments

Mastress Alita
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I have recently really taken a liking to violets, but I also didn’t like this matcha… something about the violet flavor paired with the cardamom in it was really off-putting to me. I like cardamom with other florals (like rose) but apparently not violet.

Cameron B.
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I didn’t really get cardamom, but that could be the age talking…

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Mastress Alita
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Cameron B.
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I didn’t really get cardamom, but that could be the age talking…

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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: 8
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 151

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