Day Eight finds us revisiting an old favorite. When I contacted Della Terra Teas this year to inquire about their 12 Days of Christmas collection, my question for them was would it be a different box than last year. As many of you know, I used to do another 12 Days of Christmas countdown, however, with that company, I subscribe to their teas, so, all of the teas that are in the box are teas that I would have tried. I wanted something NEW which is why I changed to this box from Della Terra Teas. Don’t get me wrong, I love the other company too (Hey, I subscribe to them so that I get every tea they offer, I must love them, right?), but for the Christmas countdown is something that I want to be somewhat new and fresh whenever possible.
So, when Della Terra Teas got back to me – promptly too, I might add, they have great customer service! – and told me that all the teas would be new teas except for this one, I was OK with that … for one reason and one reason only. The tea that this “old” tea is.
Eight Candles
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
On this, your eighth day you will have Eight Candles, lit brightly in your cup. The eight maids a’milking will be a bit jealous with this one!
Caramel and marshmallow flavors abound in this perfectly blended black tea. Sip after sip the magic of this season is tasted within!
Taster’s Review:
I LOVE this tea. This is – by far – my favorite tea from Della Terra Teas. And based upon the response on Steepster, I’d say that I’m not the only one who thinks that this is a pretty amazing tea. So, needless to say, I didn’t mind it when I was informed that this would be the one “old” tea in the collection. I didn’t mind it a bit.
Since this was in last year’s 12 Days of Christmas Teas box from Della Terra Teas, I have reviewed it, so I don’t guess I need to review it again, do I?
But I will say that this tea is every bit as good as I remember it being. Sweet, gooey, marshmallow-y happiness in a teacup! One thing I did note about brewing this cup … there was some “oily” spots that rose to the top of the cup which I must admit are never appetizing to see, but, I was able to look past them. If I were to change anything about this tea at all, it would be the oil slick, but, if that means that the flavor of the tea is changed, then forget about it, I’d rather see spots and enjoy the caramelized marshmallow-y joy that is this tea.
On The Seventh Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea …
Today is day seven. I have some catching up to do, because, well, I had a bad case of food poisoning, so I’ve been out of commission for a couple of days. I’m glad that I had a couple of posts already prepared and scheduled, so that you didn’t miss out on the countdown fun!
Almond Biscotti
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
Swimming like the swans did on the 7th day of Christmas sounds a little too cold for me. But, if you must…
Warm up with this Almond Biscotti green tea. Just like the name implies, a baked, deliciously almond green tea is what you will have on this magical day!
Taster’s Review:
This is my first cup of tea since my aforementioned bout with food poisoning. I’m sure that my tummy could have handled the tea (and my caffeine withdrawal sure would have appreciated some) but I just didn’t have the wherewithal to prepare a cup of tea, or sit at the computer and write reviews … or to do much of anything else for that matter.
But that’s enough of that. Let’s get on with this yummy tea. This is the first green tea from this year’s Christmas box, most of the tea until now have been flavored black teas. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just an observation. That’s part of what I do. I observe things – particularly things that are tea related – and then I share my findings with you.
When I looked inside the pouch, I could see a lot of coconut, and the aroma was very coconut-y. I might even say that it was more coconut than it was almond. But once brewed, the aroma becomes a balance between coconut and almond.
The flavor is very much a balance between the two as well. The flavor is sweet, nutty, creamy, and I do get some of that “biscotti,” baked cookie-like flavor. This tea delivers just what it says it will with the name – the taste of Almond Biscotti!
I taste green tea flavor in there, too. A slightly vegetal and slightly savory note that contrasts with the sweetness of the almond-y, coconut-y, cookie-esque flavors.
A very satisfying blend!
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea …
Day six! Are you having as much fun counting down the days as I am?
Mouse King’s Cuppa
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
Want to be as warm as a fluffy goose on this 6th day of Christmas? Sip down this one!
Feel like a king, a Mouse King even, right from the infamous Nutcracker ballet! This delicious spiced cranberry tea certainly is fit for a king!
Taster’s Review:
The last couple of days, I have been wanting a cranberry tea. I couldn’t find one in my stash (that doesn’t mean that I don’t have one there, just means I didn’t find one!) so I was really happy when I opened today’s package from Della Terra Teas and found this Mouse King’s Cuppa – a spiced cranberry tea! YUM!
The aroma that wafts from my teacup is a warm, cinnamon-y scent. Interestingly, this seems to be something that many of the teas in this year’s Christmas countdown box from Della Terra Teas have in common. Then again, this time of year inspires those warmly spiced teas. I don’t smell a lot of cranberry fragrance. Maybe a faint berry scent, but nothing too obvious.
The flavor is really nice. Up front, I taste the sweet flavor of the cinnamon. The cinnamon here is less spicy than it is sweet, but it certainly does still have some of it’s gently soothing and warming qualities to it. There are hints of other spices here too, perhaps clove. There is a warm, cozy background flavor.
Shortly after my palate recognizes the cinnamon, the tart notes of cranberry come through. The tangy berry notes are a delightful contrast to the the sweet notes of the cinnamon. This drink evokes thoughts of a winter-y party punch where someone steeped some spices in cranberry juice.
But the black tea is not lost in the medley of flavors. It is a mellower black tea flavor, yes, but, I can definitely taste it. It’s got a smooth, mild black tea taste. Part of me wonders how this combination of flavors might work with a more robust tasting black tea – perhaps something malty like an Assam.
As it is though, I enjoyed this cranberry tea! Another great gift in my box of goodies from Della Terra Teas!
On The Fifth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea …
Today is the fifth day of yummy teas from Della Terra Teas. I’ve really been enjoying this year’s countdown, and today’s tea is just entirely too yummy for words. But, since you’re here to read a review, I’ll do my best to come up with some words to describe this confectionery delight.
Cozy Caramel Oolong
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
On this, the fifth day, be cozy with this delicious caramel oolong.
As golden as the five golden rings, so is this delicious, warm caramel tea. Enjoy this Oolong, sip the creamy caramel and create a holiday memory.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Cozy Caramel Oolong from Della Terra Teas offers me two of my favorite tastes: Oolong tea and caramel. How could I resist?
Answer: I can’t. This is so yummy.
The Oolong tea is a darker Oolong, and it brings a sweet and toasted nut flavor to the cup. The roasty-toasty notes accentuate the delectable notes of caramel perfectly. I can taste a hint of burnt sugar like flavor in the background, and this elevates the caramel tones, giving them some dimension.
The Oolong has a rich, creamy texture but it isn’t overwhelming. That is to say, it doesn’t inundate the palate with that sort of creaminess that might otherwise obscure the nuanced flavors of the caramel. There is a lot of complexity to this cup, and you want to enjoy each and every layer of flavor!
When it come to Oolong teas, I generally prefer them to be “pure” or unadulterated with flavor because Oolong is such a flavorful experience on its own and no additional flavor is really necessary. However, I have enjoyed many different flavored Oolong teas, and of those that I’ve enjoyed, I’d have to say that this might be one of the very best.
This should be a must try for those of you who love caramel, or the Oolong enthusiast who is looking for something just a little different! This one resteeps really well too – the caramel flavor subdues somewhat, but the second infusion is still very flavorful!
On The Fourth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent Me This Tea…
Day 4 of the Christmas Countdown. Today’s “gift” would be four calling birds … or colly birds. Which are supposed to be black birds.
I found this picture online doing a simple image search – if it belongs to you, please don’t get upset with me. If you want me to take it down, I will. I just thought it was kind of funny, and I have always wondered what the heck a calling bird looked like.
Anyway, I am glad that Della Terra Teas didn’t send me 4 calling birds and instead sent me this tea …
Cinnamon Diletto
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tisane Description:
On this, the fourth fantastic day of Christmas, why not spice it up a bit? Both you and the calling birds will be calling for more!
Enjoy this amazing Cinnamon Diletto. With all the spice that makes everything nice, not just the calling birds will be happy, you will be as well!
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve mentioned on previous occasions, I’m never too thrilled to try a rooibos blend, as it tends to be one of my least favorite tisane bases. But after taking a whiff of this Cinnamon Diletto from Della Terra Teas – the tea for the 4th day of Christmas – I looked forward to trying it.
Very cinnamon-y! So cinnamon-y, in fact, that you miss the rooibos flavor, which works out just fine for me. There is some body to this tisane which comes from the rooibos, and there is also some nutty, earthy tones that complement the cinnamon notes so seamlessly that you don’t really realize that what you’re sipping is a rooibos tisane.
The cinnamon has a sweet flavor, but there is a zingy spice to it too. It’s a very warming tea – a delightful choice for winter evenings while relaxing. It’s one of those tisanes that has me sort of astonished, really, because the blend is so simple! It’s just rooibos and cinnamon and safflower petals. There isn’t anything fancy about this rooibos blend. But the cinnamon and rooibos were blended in just the right amount to create a deliciously warm, spicy-sweet drink that I can’t believe I’m sitting here enjoying as much as I am.
So far, Della Terra Teas’ Christmas box is 4 wins out of 4 teas!