Bio
I studied biochem and botany at University with a focus on genetics and evolutionary biology. Now, I work in biology setting up labs for students. I love science fiction and spend too much of my time reading comic books. I’m a passionate keeper of spiders, cacti, and exotic plants. I eat a vegan, plant-based diet for moral and environmental reasons (I mention this only because it is relevant to which flavoured teas I drink).
I drink mostly flavoured and low caffeine teas/tisanes, but I will try anything twice. As far as pure teas go, I gravitate towards whites, yellows, and jade oolongs. Most of my teas are older and in smaller smounts, so I can’t offer samples of most blends. But you can still message me any time :)
My cupboard and stash spreadsheet here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-HjWKR3um-xEnj6HC9vMvKXOAyj_bpW5u_2ixEC20-k/edit?usp=sharing are both outdated and I have not organized my current list of teas in several years.
Most of these are only tiny samples/I can’t always spare any, but feel free to ask.
Favourite flavours/ingredients:
Rum/alcohol, clove, cardamom, rosemary, pine, sage, anise, moss/Earthy, lychee, floral, creamy, malt, hay, rice/grain, toasty, desserty, cocoa/chocolate, decaf or no caffeine, very unusual flavours
Favourite tea types
Decaf teas (any variety)/no caf tisanes like honeybush and rooibos, fruit blends without hibiscus, yellow, jade oolong, white, Darjeeling blacks, Longjing
Least favourite flavours/ingredients:
Acidic/sour/tart, melon, grapefruit, bitter, astringent, smokey, green apple, sickly sweet (too much chicory, cinnamon, or licorice root), yerba mate, turmeric, mushroom/fungus, vegetal and savoury
No
Animal products: [confectioners glaze, gelatine, milk-based natural flavours, white choc chips, caramel bits, etc]
St. John’s wort (herb)
Stevia
Location
BC, Canada
I too have recently been overwhelmed by cinnamon in a hibiscus-rose blend. I wish the blending masters would learn to use true Ceylon cinnamon instead of Cassia, which I think would solve the problem! Ceylon is far gentler with a more complex flavor profile (and only 1/10th the toxic coumarin content!)
I just find cinnamon is quite strong in general. I use Ceylon cinnamon in baking now and have found it much nicer than cassia.