OK, so like I promised you on the first day of Christmas with my previous countdown, I was planning on doing two countdowns per day, unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, I decided to do 1 of the countdowns starting on the 14th of December and counting down to Christmas, and then I’ll do the second version which will actually BE on the 12 days of Christmas, starting on the “actual” first day of Christmas, December 25th. Not that it really matters to me. All that really matters to me … is the tea.
So, my second Christmas countdown this year is with Southern Boy Teas (aka 52Teas) and their Iced Teas! Let’s get this thing started!
Monkey Fart Iced Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Learn more about Southern Boy Teas here.
Taster’s Review:
Recently, Frank at 52Teas ran a fundraising campaign to get some new equipment that he needed to operate more efficiently, specifically for his iced tea line which he calls Southern Boy Teas. That campaign was very successful, and out of that success, Frank decided to not only do his 52Teas version of the 12 Days of Christmas, but also a SBT’s version of the 12 Days of Christmas.
For today’s iced tea, Frank chose Monkey Fart. Now, I have already brewed and reviewed the Monkey Fart iced tea, and I imagine that quite a few of this selection of 12 iced teas I’ve already tried, however, Frank has added quite a few new flavors to his SBT line, so I think I’ll be in for a surprise along the way too.
But, let me just say that I’m glad that Monkey Fart was part of this collection. No, I’m still not crazy about the name. It still weirds me out a little bit to think that I’m drinking something called Monkey Fart.
Nonetheless, this tea is tasty. I cold-brewed it, and it’s as tasty as I remember it. Sweet and loaded with banana flavor that is more like candy than true-to-the-fruit banana flavor, but, I don’t mind it, because like I said in my previous review, it tastes a bit like banana cotton candy that’s been liquefied and then added to a glass of black iced tea. YUM!
I hope that the rest of the Southern Boy Teas countdown is as tasty as the first day has been.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea!
Merry Christmas! I hope that you had as much fun as I did counting down the days until Christmas day with me. I’m very excited about today’s tea!
Figgy Pudding
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
Merry Christmas!!! You made it! Do you hear the 12 drummers drumming? Now open this up and sip away!
Whether you are having a festive get together like Ole Fezziwig, or spending the day at home with family … like the song says, O’ bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer!
Taster’s Review:
Few tea flavors out there get me as excited as when I find a fig flavored tea. I really love figs, and as I’ve reminisced at least once (probably more) here on this blog, they bring back some happy childhood memories for me. And while there are other fruits that I might enjoy more – like strawberries or peaches, for example – finding a good strawberry or peach flavored tea isn’t quite as challenging as finding a good fig flavored tea. They’re few and far between.
And this tea was well worth the wait as I counted down the teas of Christmas. This is delicious. The fig notes are prominent. From the moment I opened the pouch, I could smell the fig! And just now, as I walked into the kitchen to pour myself of the freshly brewed tea, the smell of warm figs filled my kitchen. YUM! My mouth started watering.
This Figgy Pudding Tea is really, really good. The fig flavor is strong and true to the fruit. It is sweet, just like biting into a fig … all that’s missing is the seedy texture of the inside of the fruit.
There is a slight creaminess to the background, not really a strong, pronounced “vanilla” or even “cream” flavor but more of just a slight creaminess to the cup that might be further enhanced with a drop or two of warm milk, but, I’d not want to risk losing some of this fig flavor!
The black tea is a even-toned base. I suspect it is most likely a Ceylon as it doesn’t have a strong or robust character. Instead, it’s brisk and slightly astringent. It’s not too strong-tasting a tea but I do pick up on slight notes of malt and the hints of fruity taste in the black tea play well to the sweetness of the fig.
Such a yummy Christmas gift from Della Terra Teas! Thank you!
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea!
Here we are, Christmas Eve! Whenever I think of “Christmas Eve” I am reminded of a time when my youngest daughter – who is now twelve years old – would dance around a few days before Christmas Eve and sing “Christmas Eve is in a couple of eves.” It was really adorable. How quickly they grow up.
Christmas Tradition
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
Go back to the days of Christmas tradition with popcorn strung on the tree, silver balls and delicious flavors. This tea combines all of those, with vanilla, cream and amazing mint! Create a new Christmas tradition with this magical tea!
Ingredients: Black tea, vanilla bits and flavor, cream flavor, mint, popcorn, silver and red sprinkles*
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
At first glance – and at first sip! – this tea would seem to be very similar to the Peppermint Perfection from Day 3 with the notable omission of the chocolate in this tea, and the addition of the popcorn.
I don’t know if the popcorn adds a whole lot to the flavor of this tea, but I do know that the chocolate certainly added a delightful dimension of flavor to the aforementioned Peppermint Perfection tea. That said, I really like this tea. This tea tastes more candy cane-ish to me because there is no chocolate, and I don’t usually have chocolate covered candy canes (although, this year, Santa will be putting a chocolate filled candy cane in my stocking).
I like the creaminess of this tea. This tea seems creamier to me, and there is a savory element to this as well. At the finish, and at the very start of the aftertaste, I note a pepper taste. Just a slight “kick” of pepper. I don’t know where that’s coming from, but it’s there.
This is less “minty” than the Peppermint Perfection. The mint here is a gentle, smooth mint taste. The black tea seems richer and more robust to me with this tea as well. There is almost a malty note to this, and I’m not sure if that’s from the tea or if it’s from the vanilla and cream flavoring.
So, it sort of surprises me to say that if I were asked to choose between the Peppermint Bark tea (which has chocolate in it) or this, the Christmas Tradition tea (which doesn’t have chocolate in it), I would probably choose this one! There is something more complex and more unique that keeps my palate intrigued as I sip. Both teas are really good, but, this one is more interesting to me.
On The Tenth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea …
Two days to go. Time to go shopping! Ha!
Winter Nog
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tisane Description:
Why were the Lords a leaping on the tenth day of Christmas? Well, obviously they all had a cup of Winter Nog!
Enjoy your festive day with a cup of this amazing egg nog rooibos. With all the spices you love about a perfect cup of Nog! Dont get too excited but … only 2 days ’til Christmas!
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Well, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed to find this in my bag marked Day 10 from Della Terra Teas. As I mentioned previously when I contacted Della Terra Teas before I ordered this box, I was told that there would be one repeat (which was the Eight Candles tea) but we also had this tisane last year on the eleventh day. I don’t think I would have been quite as disappointed if it had been a different tea, but, since rooibos blends aren’t my favorite to begin with, I feel just a little let down that this is a duplicate tea.
Not that this is a bad tisane, I liked it alright last year, and I’m sipping on it now and I’m enjoying it alright now. But, I think that I would have been more delighted to try a tea that I haven’t yet tried from Della Terra Teas.
But this is still a tasty tisane. I think I might be tasting a tad more cinnamon this time around than last year … and I’m definitely tasting rum again this year. Perhaps it wasn’t my imagination back then! It is creamy with an egg-y, vanilla-y, custard-y kind of taste as it’s prominent flavor, and just underneath that, I taste the cinnamon and spices, and then notes of rum.
A tasty treat for winter.
On the Ninth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea …
Wow … day nine. The big day is nearly here. A scary thought if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping (or if you’re like me, you haven’t really begun.) Yikes!
This tea is very relaxing though, helping me to soothe those ’bouts with holiday anxiety.
White Winter
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
You’ll be dancing like the ladies on this 9th day of Christmas after one sip of this amazing white tea!
Filled with coconut, cream and white chocolate, this amazing white tea is pure perfection in a cup. So, don’t mind those flurries outside, you’re inside with this cuppa!
Taster’s Review:
The photo above is for Della Terra Teas’ White Chocolate Coconut Creme tea which looks a lot like and from the description seems to be a lot like this White Winter tea. I did contact Della Terra Teas to find out if the teas were the same, however, they haven’t been able to get back in touch with me. Understandable, since it’s just days before the holiday … everyone’s out there scurrying around, finishing up the last minute details for their celebrations.
So as I’m writing this, I’m not sure if Della Terra Teas played around with the recipe of their White Chocolate Coconut Creme tea to make this White Winter blend a little different, and since I haven’t yet tried the White Chocolate Coconut Creme tea, I can’t tell you from my own experience if they taste the same.
So, instead, I’ll simply focus on the tea that sits before me.
The white tea base is light and crisp but it isn’t so delicate that it becomes indistinguishable in the blend. I can taste the “hay-like” vegetal notes of the white tea. It feels very clean and refreshing on the palate, which is in contrast to the creamy notes that want to coat the palate in decadence. I like the way the two diverse elements play with one another in this teacup.
And there’s a lot of creaminess to this cup: the white chocolate, the cream and the coconut! I can taste each profile in this tea, and it’s really sweet. One of the sweeter teas that I’ve tasted in quite some time. It’s almost on the verge of excessively sweet.
As I am sure some of you are aware, I do have a sweet tooth and an obsession when it comes to chocolate, but, I think that this one might be almost too much. Mind you, I did say “almost,” as I haven’t yet pushed the cup aside, and I’m still enjoying what I’m drinking.
That said, I think that this is a tea that I’d reserve for those occasions when I am wanting a sweet, dessert-y tea. One of those times when my sweet tooth is crying out for attention. Something that will satiate my sweet tooth and my desire for rich chocolate flavor in one cuppa. I’d also recommend not adding any sugar to this cup – trust me when I say it doesn’t need it!
Tasty, but I think I’d like it better if there was a little bit of something to cut through the sweetness here. As it is, it’s almost too cloying.
Note: I did hear back from Della Terra Teas and they said:
the White Winter is similar to the White Chocolate Coconut Creme, HOWEVER, there are more parts vanilla and less white chocolate in the White Winter.
Perhaps the White Chocolate Coconut Cream is not quite as sweet then as this White Winter? Let us hope so!