80
drank Jingle Bells by Lupicia
4329 tasting notes

Sipdown! (23 | 432)

Yay, another oldest tea down! This tin was from November of 2017. I think I only have two more 2017 teas left! Granted, that’s not saying much, but still a nice milestone to see.

This is one of Lupicia’s lovely grape teas. It reminds me of a combination of grape Hi-Chew and Welch’s sparkling red grape juice. I love those sparkling juices at holiday meals, and will definitely be partaking at Thanksgiving time! So to me, this has a rich, almost slightly winey grape flavor with a sweet candy edge to it. I adore Japanese grape candy flavoring, so the somewhat artificial quality of it doesn’t bother me. The base is rather earthy, which I actually like as it cuts the sweetness a bit. Not a hint of bitterness here either, even though the leaf is somewhat fine.

A lovely tea! Happily, I still have a couple of other grape creations from Lupicia in my cupboard. :3

Flavors: Artificial, Candy, Earth, Grapes, Red Wine, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
Evol Ving Ness

However did grape take them to jingle bells?

Cameron B.

“Scented with refreshing grapes and fruity sparkling wine. Great for a family get-together during the holiday.”

A bit of a stretch, but at least it’s original. ;)

Dustin

Because grapes and bells are sort of the same general shape?

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Comments

Evol Ving Ness

However did grape take them to jingle bells?

Cameron B.

“Scented with refreshing grapes and fruity sparkling wine. Great for a family get-together during the holiday.”

A bit of a stretch, but at least it’s original. ;)

Dustin

Because grapes and bells are sort of the same general shape?

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Profile

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! ~
- February sipdowns: 4
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 38

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

Location

Austin, Texas

Website

https://www.instagram.com/tea...

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