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Cameron B. drank Hojicha Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Dessert by Deb

4031 tasting notes

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Finally got around to entering my Dessert by Deb order into my spreadsheet. I had placed it around the end of September, excited for all the new hojicha teas for fall, and then I didn’t end up actually receiving it until the end of November, by which time I was no longer in fall mode, and was getting in gear for advents. So by then I just wasn’t excited for it anymore. Anyway, all that to say, because of that I neglected to catalog the teas or even open the box until recently.

This was one of the free samples Deb included, and one of the few hojicha blends I didn’t order because it just didn’t sound good to me, and because of the rooibos. And that was a good decision, because it’s just not very interesting. The rooibos mostly overpowers the hojicha, and the pineapple flavor is quite muted, so mostly it ends up tasting like woody rooibos with a hint of roast and a touch of candy pineapple. Oh, and a bit of cinnamon.

I think it could’ve maybe been nice if it was just a hojicha? Not sure why this one needed three different bases tbh. Oh well, always nice to get free samples!

Flavors: Candy, Cinnamon, Pineapple, Roasted, Rooibos, Smooth, Sweet, Toasty, Woody

Preparation

190 °F / 87 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 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: 22
- Total 2024 Sipdowns: 35

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