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Cameron B. drank Pedernales - Green Yaupon by CatSpring Yaupon

4365 tasting notes

So I tried this, and yaupon in general, for the first time today. And I really liked it!

The dry leaf is so pretty, large but thin flakes in a myriad of earthy green shades. Dry scent reminded me of alfalfa hay and perhaps a bit of dried fig. Once steeped, the aroma shifts more toward oats and honey, still with some lighter hay notes. The color is quite dark and reminds me of olive oil!

I am honestly so surprised by how much I like this! It’s extremely mellow with a smooth grain-like flavor to it that does remind me of oats. There’s also a bit of hay and some autumn leaf in there, and a lovely honeyed sweetness. Tiny hint of earthy smokiness in the background perhaps. And then there’s a soft fruitiness that makes me think of dried apple rings. Ooh, was that a whisper of pine for a second…?

Overall, I really like this. It reminds me of some kind of cross between an aged white tea, an oxidized oolong, and some kind of light and earthy herb, maybe linden? And I am here for it! It’ll be really interesting to try the other two from the sampler pack I got, which are medium and heavy roast versions.

P.S. – Others didn’t seem to like this one nearly as much as I did. Am I crazy…? XD

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMx0-TihHyN/

Flavors: Apple, Autumn Leaf Pile, Dried Fruit, Earth, Fig, Grain, Hay, Honey, Oats, Pine, Smoke, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

4 years ago

I Like This

14 likes

1 comment

Martin Bednář 4 years ago

You aren’t crazy. You have different experience. Maybe mine wasn’t the freshest. I was thinking about placing the order, but shipping is nightmare. And I have received a coupon for free shipping (already expired :/) and I haven’t got mood for ordering MORE tea in that moment.

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Martin Bednář 4 years ago

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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! ~
- May sipdowns: 13
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 90

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