Yay! I don’t think I’ve looked this forward to counting down the days before Christmas since I was a kid!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas – it’s my favorite holiday. I love decorating my tree (I have a very unique set of ornaments, most are handmade!) and the best part is spending time with my family and experiencing the magic of the holiday through the eyes of my kids.
But, that’s the thing! There is something that is so magical about the season for children!
I have been able to recapture some of that magical feeling – thanks to 52Teas! Today’s sampler package says “Ah, Ah, Ah! Do NOT open until December 15th” As I read this, I could almost feel Santa’s finger shaking in my direction, as if to indicate that I might get nothing but coal in my stocking if I peek!
Today’s MAGICAL Tea of Christmas is …
CHOCOLATE CHAI
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Information:
This is a match made in heaven. Our traditional, hand-blended masala chai with organic cacao nibs and milk chocolate chips. So chocolatey, it should be illegal. Don’t miss out, this one is going to go FAST!
Taster’s Review:
I was really excited this morning when I opened this pouch because this is one that I’ve not tried before. I’ve had their Mayan Chocolate Chai and their Chocolate Cheesecake Chai and even their Decaf Chocolate Cheesecake Chai (which, incidentally, I think tastes even better than the regular version!)
But not their Chocolate Chai. I was very interested to see how it differed from these other varieties, so, needless to say, I was very antsy while I waited for the tea to brew! If I could have made time go faster during that four minutes, I would have!
This is really good. Much more chocolate-y than I would have expected (because, well, I am a chocoholic, and I usually expect there to be not enough chocolate). The black tea is a smooth, rich base and I like the interplay between tea and chocolate here. The chocolate seems to enhance the tea and vice versa.
That being said, I feel that the spices are lacking just a little bit. I attribute this primarily to my being a bit biased when it comes to spiced chai blends; the spices just don’t taste very balanced. Perhaps a little black pepper or a little bit of cloves?
Don’t get me wrong, I really do like this tea for what it is, and I am not disappointed at all! I love the chocolate in this, and it is perhaps the best chocolate tea that I’ve tried from 52Teas. But it isn’t the best spiced chai I’ve had from them. However, it is still very delicious – an absolutely splendid tea for this time of year! – and I am very happy that I had the opportunity to try it!
Now … I am left to wonder which tea it shall be tomorrow? Ah… the anticipation!
On the 1st Day of Christmas … from 52Teas
This year as a special holiday promotion, 52Teas offered a special 12 sampler package which is comprised of 11 of their best-selling teas, and 1 brand new tea (for Christmas day!). The “rules” are simple: open one cleverly disguised sample package per day – labeled simply with the day that it should be opened (today’s sample package reminded me that I should only open it on December 14, because “Santa is Watching”).
Inside the sample package includes a new label – the label for the tea – and enough of the tea for several cups. Today’s special tea is:
Piña Colada Honeybush
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
We create a lot of different blends here on 52teas. It is one of the things I absolutely love most about my job is experimenting with new flavor combinations and creating new and unique blends. I have to admit that some of our experiments are more successful than others. Some of the blends we create are good, some are great, and a few, like this week’s Tea of the Week, are just phenomenal!
Sweet African honeybush appears to be MADE for tropical flavors. Combine it with dried pineapple, unsweetened coconut flakes and a touch of rum flavor, and you’ve got a tea so soothing, relaxing and pleasing to the senses, that, like I wrote on the label, you ought to be required to sip it from a hammock on the beach.
We hope this tea blows you away as much as it did us. I’m seriously thinking this might be one to enter into the World Tea Championships next year. Enjoy!
Taster’s Review:
This is one of 52Teas best. Although, to say “one of 52Teas best” is a bit vague, not only because I happen to say that quite a bit, but because 52Teas makes a lot of great teas. It would be difficult to actually pinpoint their “best.”
However, this tisane happens to have the distinction of placing 3rd at the North American Tea Championship. Not too shabby!
You can read my original review of this tea here. My opinion of the tea hasn’t changed! The flavor is excellent. It is pleasantly sweet from the honeybush base, and the flavors of pinapple, coconut and rum are well-balanced.
I am really glad that this tisane was included – it’s a little walk down memory lane!
Tomorrow, I will be posting about the 2nd Tea of Christmas, which is… well… we will just have to wait to find out tomorrow!