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Cameron B. drank Shenandoah by Simpson & Vail

4371 tasting notes

I was feeling a green tea this evening, and there weren’t any in my box of oldest teas. This pouch happened to be the first green tea I clapped eyes on when I pulled open a drawer, so here it is! I’ve been really pleasantly surprised by this National Park collection in general, so I’m excited to try this one out.

I will say this is bit less unique than some of the other teas in the collection, as it’s mostly just a ginger lemon green tea. That’s not to say it’s not enjoyable, because it is. There’s a nice balance between the lemon and the ginger, with just enough spiciness paired with a sweet lemon drop-esque sort of note. The base is quite grassy, but in a dry way, and it gives the tea an almost herbal character. Paired together with the classic lemon and ginger, it’s a very comforting flavor.

I do actually notice the elderberry peeping in at the end of the sip, though I admit I probably wouldn’t have identified it if I hadn’t read the description. I really like the combination of the elderberry and the lemon, and it also gives a nice syrupy depth. I will say there’s no elderberry flavoring mentioned in the ingredients, which makes me wonder what else they’ve left out… :P

Anyway, it’s definitely a cozy sort of tea, and I’m sure it would really hit the spot if I were feeling under the weather, or even just on a rainy day.

Flavors: Berry, Candy, Dry Grass, Elderberry, Ginger, Herbaceous, Lemon, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation

175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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2 comments

gmathis
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I’ve never tried elderberry and lemon together, though I will likely be trotting it out with cold and flu season around the corner. (I know I like it with cinnamon.)

Cameron B.
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This was my first time trying it too, I think it’s fairly similar to blueberry and lemon, which I also love together.

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Comments

gmathis
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I’ve never tried elderberry and lemon together, though I will likely be trotting it out with cold and flu season around the corner. (I know I like it with cinnamon.)

Cameron B.
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This was my first time trying it too, I think it’s fairly similar to blueberry and lemon, which I also love together.

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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! ~
- July sipdowns: 1
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 104

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