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Cameron B. drank A Deck of Cards by Dryad Tea

4572 tasting notes

I swear that several years back I tried some teas from Dryad, but I don’t seem to have written any notes about them here, so maybe I’m crazy… So I ended up ordering quite a few samples (15, to be exact) since I was curious and couldn’t remember any previous opinion I may have had.

This one sounded intriguing, with dark berry, vanilla, and anise. I actually created a blend in last year’s herbal advent that combined elderberry and anise, along with cacao and hojicha, and I quite liked it.

Anyway, this has an insane amount of anise seed, so unsurprisingly that is mostly what I taste. Unfortunately, there is also a weird soapy/perfume note, which is very strange since this doesn’t even have any florals in it. It’s very perplexing, and I made my husband try it to make sure I wasn’t crazy lol – he said it tastes like potpourri. XD They do mention “painting the roses red” in description, so maybe there is some kind of floral flavoring that they don’t list outright? (shrugs)

Flavors: Anise, Candy, Chemical, Licorice, Perfume, Soap, Star Anise, Sweet

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 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. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, wax melts, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 0
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 176

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