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Cameron B. drank Iribancha by Ippodo

4126 tasting notes

I picked up a pouch of this in one-pot teabags to accompany my pretty new Ippodo glass carafe. I’ve been cold brewing constantly lately so they got me good when they sent an email advertising it… :P

The carafe itself is lovely, but holy shit is this tea smoky! I was quite taken aback because the only Kyobancha I’ve had is Obubu’s, and it’s completely different from this version. This is Lapsang-level smoky, like sitting next to a campfire with the smoke drifting directly into your face. I’m not able to taste the more nuanced notes of the roast well at all because the smokiness is so intense.

Maybe next time I’ll try a shorter steep or just one teabag per liter… o.o

Flavors: Ash, Autumn Leaf Pile, Campfire, Smoke, Wood

Preparation

Iced 8 min or more 34 OZ / 1000 ML

I Like This

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2 comments

Todd
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Wow, “sitting next to a campfire with the smoke drifting directly into your face” is how I’ve described a lapsang before. I think I’ll avoid that one.

Cameron B.
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Oh definitely, would not recommend this for those who don’t like lapsang he he.

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Comments

Todd
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Wow, “sitting next to a campfire with the smoke drifting directly into your face” is how I’ve described a lapsang before. I think I’ll avoid that one.

Cameron B.
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Oh definitely, would not recommend this for those who don’t like lapsang he he.

Profile

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! ~
- October sipdowns: 3
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 132

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