Cameron B. select Send Message

259 Followers / 238 Following

95
Recommended
drank Taiwanese Wild Mountain Black by Butiki Teas
1578 tasting notes

Okay, time to try one of the high rollers here on Steepster. I’m always sort of nervous to try teas that are firm favorites around here… I know I won’t be shunned if I don’t love them but I’m still afraid I won’t love them. Hah. This is one of those creepy tree branch teas (I believe the other term is “spider legs”). The leaves are huge and black and very twisty and brittle. I’m surprised by the lack of dry scent – just a vague honey sweetness and some mustiness. I followed the recommended parameters (aside from the boiling water).

Yum, this smells like waffles! With honey and fruits notes, too. Becoming very excited! It tastes like waffles, too! Or to be more generic, it tastes like pastry, but there’s something about it that reminds me specifically of waffles. I definitely get a buttery texture and lovely honey flavor. There’s also that dark dried fruitiness that’s almost syrupy. And cinnamon? Mm! The aftertaste is grain and, in a few sips, fresh apricot. At the base of the flavor is a lovely rich caramelized brown sugar flavor, mm…

So yes, definitely waffles! I don’t necessarily get maple, so I suppose they would be waffles with a dark, caramelized fruit syrup and cinnamon whipped cream! Om nom nom!

Flavors: Apricot, Brown Sugar, Burnt Sugar, Butter, Cinnamon, Dried Fruit, Grain, Honey, Pastries, Raisins

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
5 comments
Edit
Stephanie
Delete

I love the waffletea :) :) :)

Mandy
Delete

No, please I vote we officially refer to then as creep tree branch, and not that other term. Please, I don’t want to think of those tasty critters! Haha

carol who
Delete

I agree “creepy tea branch”!

SarsyPie
Delete

Ooooooh waffles!!!

Zack S.
Delete

Hi! Just wondering if you have any of this tea available to swap? Its one of my all-time favs and I’m trying to get my hands on more of it since it has become unavailable =(

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Comments

Stephanie
Delete

I love the waffletea :) :) :)

Mandy
Delete

No, please I vote we officially refer to then as creep tree branch, and not that other term. Please, I don’t want to think of those tasty critters! Haha

carol who
Delete

I agree “creepy tea branch”!

SarsyPie
Delete

Ooooooh waffles!!!

Zack S.
Delete

Hi! Just wondering if you have any of this tea available to swap? Its one of my all-time favs and I’m trying to get my hands on more of it since it has become unavailable =(

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron! I’m a 30-year-old 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 knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, bento, baking, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is collecting hobby related-things… ;)

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I will often sweeten iced tea. I brew Western style, and fluctuate between using mugs or teapots with small cups depending on the season. Occasionally I’ll brew Gongfu style when I’m in the mood. I also use a kyusu for Japanese teas.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Current Subscriptions:
52teas
Bird & Blend
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Sips By

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, and oolong varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

Fruit: All of them! My ‘go-to’s tend to be in the red fruits, stonefruit, or citrus spectra. I also really love apple, banana, berry, fig, lychee, melon, pear, and rhubarb flavors. Tropical fruits aren’t among my favorites, but I still enjoy them once in a while – especially mango and pineapple. I am not generally a fan of coconut in tea, though there are some exceptions.

Dessert: I love creamy vanilla and marshmallow flavors, along with anything in the caramel family such as butterscotch, toffee, or maple. Chocolate is also a favorite, though I’m often disappointed by it in tea. And don’t forget anything buttery, cakey, or cookie-y!

Floral: I’m a little bit more particular in this category. I very much enjoy jasmine, even strong jasmine, along with sakura and chamomile. But I’m not crazy about rose or lavender flavors, and I prefer hibiscus in moderation only.

Spices: I don’t generally find myself drawn to masala chai, but I do enjoy spices combined with other flavors. My favorite spices are the warm ones, especially cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, and cardamom. A bit of heat from black pepper or chili is okay too, as long as it’s not overwhelming! Ginger can be a lovely accent, but I find it difficult to drink as a starring flavor.

Aromatics: I’m obsessed with Earl Grey! I also love cooling flavors such as mint (especially spearmint), pine, juniper, and eucalyptus. I am not a fan of strong rosemary or sage in tea.

Favorite Purveyors:
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Kusmi
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre
Yunnan Sourcing

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.

Location

Austin, Texas

Website

https://www.instagram.com/cam...

Following These People

See More

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer