The holidays are my favorite time of year. And, for me, it’s not just about the decorations and the gift-giving and time for family – oh those things are very important to me – but there’s also a part of me that can’t deny that it’s also about the TEA! Hot tea just tastes better when the weather is cooler, and I love how so many tea companies out there offer special teas to celebration!
And sometimes, you happen across a company like Della Terra Teas that offers a whole collection of 12 teas to count down the 12 Days of Christmas!
Fireside Spice
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
Open up this amazing chai spice inspired tea and sip away. You’ve earned it!
This black tea will bring more magic to this already magical day with the taste of clove, cinnamon and spice! You may not of gotten two turtle doves, but you did get this impressive tea! Enjoy and relax!
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
When I opened the pouch of this tea, I recognized the scent immediately. It smelled like red-hots! Many tea companies out there offer a tea similar to this one … but don’t mistake that comment as my way of saying that if you’ve tried one, you’ve tried them all. I’ve found that as it is with most things in life, some of the cinnamon-y holiday teas are better than others.
This is one of the better tasting ones I’ve tried. It’s sweet and hot, but, I like that the spice is not overwhelming my palate. I like that it’s not as much like the “red hot” candy as some others that I’ve tried (I like those as well, but, it’s nice to have a more subtle approach to that candy taste too.) This tastes like someone took a few red hots and dissolved them in my tea, rather than like someone liquefied a couple of handfuls of red hots and mixed them with a quarter cup of tea. There is more tea to be tasted in this cup than candy-like sweetness, and that’s got me smiling.
But there is something else that makes this chai-like tea different. In place of the strong, orange-y flavor that is often part of a holiday tea like this, there is vanilla! The vanilla adds a hint of sweetness and a touch of creaminess that gives the cup a sort of “latte” kind of taste without the dairy.
The black tea offers a nice, solid background of rich flavor, while the notes of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and the creamy vanilla tantalize my taste buds. Every once in a while, I can swear that I taste that aforementioned orange-y note, and I’m not sure if it’s just that my taste buds are playing games with me because I’m used to tasting that kiss of citrus in this type of blend, or if it’s actually there. But, I like the way it all comes together.
As I write this review, it is cold and wet outside – we had a bit of snow earlier this week, it’s all melted now, but now it’s wet! – but this tea is warming me up from the inside and working it’s way to the outside, that the chill of the outside doesn’t bother me. I’m happy as I sip this tea!
On The First Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent To Me …
Wow! Can you believe that it’s already December 14th, people? Well, every year, I do a 12 days of Christmas Teas countdown, and this year, I’m not just doing one countdown … but two! However, my second countdown will start a little late because … I haven’t yet received that package! Hopefully it will arrive sometime today so that I will only be behind by one day. Who knows, maybe I’ll do the second 12 Days of Christmas batch starting on Christmas Day … and continue through the 11 days that follow.
Isn’t it cute!
In the meantime, it’s time to get my Della Terra Teas 12 Days of Christmas Tea countdown started! The box arrived wrapped in brown paper, and when I tore away the paper, I saw the beautiful box! I love the packaging that Della Terra Teas uses for their countdown – it’s a gift in itself.
Inside the box is an array of twelve festive “goody” bags tied off with tags to indicate which day the bag is for, and inside each bag is the secret tea of the day. Today’s tea is:
Spiced Pear
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
On the first day of Christmas something delicious was given to me, and that was a Spiced Pear tea!
On this first day of your 12 Days of Christmas, please sit back and enjoy a cup of this delightful, spiced pear tea that is exclusive to the sets of twelve! What a way to start!
Taster’s Review:
Last Year’s “first day of Christmas Tea” was also a pear tea, but, I was certainly not disappointed to find another pear tea as this year’s first tea. I love pear teas! And I was especially happy to see that this is one of the exclusive to the holiday countdown box teas – I LOVE that Della Terra Teas does this! It might not seem like a big deal but it makes the whole countdown box seem that much more special when there’s exclusive teas in it, you know?
Ahhh … this Spiced Pear Tea from Della Terra Teas is nice! When the tea first finished brewing, it looked a little “light” in color in my glass teapot. I was worried that it wasn’t going to be flavorful enough. But it’s just right. I can taste the sweet pear notes, the spice tones and the black tea in the background. It’s a nicely rounded tea.
The pear flavor is strong here and as has often been my complaint when it comes to pear teas, there is often just not enough pear flavor to satisfy me! I love pears, but because it is kind of a delicate tasting fruit it is sometimes difficult for the right flavor to be captured in a tea, especially one with a black tea base like this.
So, now that I think about it, perhaps it was a good thing that the tea looked a bit light in color, a stronger, more robustly flavored tea would have overpowered the softer pear tones. As it is, there is a nice balance between black tea and pear.
And then there is the spice. It’s a gently spiced tea, just enough to add some warmth to the cup without dominating the taste buds with a powerful spice flavor.
This is a very soothing tea to sip … it’s very nice on these cold winter days, and a really delightful tea to start off the 12 Days of Christmas! YUM!
Holiday Crumb Cake Tea from The Tea and Spice Exchange
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where To Buy: The Tea and Spice Exchange
Tea Description:
Come home to the Holidays! Indulge and wrap your senses around this cozy cup of tea. Orange,raspberry, ginger, and cinnamon combined with black tea creates a flavor worth celebrating! Contains Black Tea, Orange Peels, Ginger, Cinnamon, Raspberry Leaves,Cranberries, Safflowers, Natural Cranberry and Chestnut Flavors.Learn more about this blend here.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of three teas that I received in my holiday stocking. Granted, I had to buy these teas myself to stuff in my own stocking, but, my husband DID take me to The Tea and Spice Exchange knowing full well that I had teas on my shopping list, including this Holiday Crumb Cake flavored black tea.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for limited edition teas! I think this has something to do with the fact that I’d categorize myself as a “taster” … I like to try teas, but, I rarely find a tea that I’d want to drink every day. I might like a tea … even love it, but, there are so many teas out there to try, and who knows what I might discover next! There have been some teas that I have enjoyed enough to want to keep stocked in my cupboard … but this is a rare occurrence.
This tea is really good! It’s a really tasty spin on the classic cranberry orange cinnamon holiday blend. The addition of chestnut flavors gives this tea a real cake-y kind of taste: warm, nutty, and sweet. The cranberry is tart and offers a nice contrast to the sweeter flavors. The cinnamon gives the tea the delicious warmth of spice, and the orange – as well as the raspberry leaves! – give this tea a burst of brightness. It’s a really nicely rounded cup of tea.
And what I like best here is that the black tea is not overwhelmed by all that’s going on. It is a sturdy black tea, robust, and even has a hint of smoke to it, which sort of plays to the idea of crumb cake … that browned crumb topping that tastes of caramelized sugars. There is some astringency to this tea, I’d classify it as a moderate to medium amount of astringency – nothing overwhelming.
A very enjoyable blend – around for just a limited time!
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent to Me…
We’re past the halfway point in this countdown, and you know what that means, don’t you? The big day is just around the corner, almost here … are you finished with your holiday shopping? We’re not, but we are nearly done, and that’s more than I can say for our usual progress this time of year.
Today’s tea was sent in a beautiful blue, sparkly envelope/box. These little boxes are really cute, and of course, I’m keeping them … hopefully I’ll think of something to do with them that is alter-ish art-y.
Anyway, I’m sure you’re all just sitting there at the edges of your seats, waiting to learn what today’s tea from Della Terra Teas is …
Walnut Brittle
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
On the seventh day of Christmas you’ll be swimming like the swans in delicious tantalizing walnut brittle tea.
A most amazing green tea is the base for this perfect walnut tea. With bits of real walnut brittle within we truly believe you have a cup of nutcrackers Heaven in your tea cup!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This IS a tantalizing treat!
The dry leaf offers a very appetizing sight with the big chunks of walnut, coconut and pineapple blended with the long spears of Chinese Sencha green tea. The aroma is nutty and fruity, and interestingly enough, reminds me very much of the holidays, although I don’t usually associate walnuts, coconut or pineapple with this time of year. Somehow, the way it all comes together reminds me very much of Christmastime – perhaps it is the sweetness of the scent … I don’t know. But it is certainly bringing a smile to my face.
The flavor also brings a smile to my face. The flavor of the green tea is prominent, it is sweet and slightly vegetative, although most of the sweetness I taste is coming from the coconut, I think, or it could be the fact that there is also brittle candy in this blend, and that may have melted during the brewing process. I do taste a bit of caramelized sugar in the cup, and that just may be my favorite part of this tea.
But I also like the walnut flavor. Walnut is not a “usual” nut flavor to find in a tea … almonds – yes … but not walnuts. But I think it is the fact that I don’t often get to experience walnut flavor in a tea that makes me enjoy this rare occasion so much.
Overall, a very enjoyable cuppa. It is nutty and sweet, with just the right amount of fruity essence to keep the cup interesting. A bit unexpected and very nice, indeed!
Eggnog Tea from Trail Lodge Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green & White Tea
Where to Buy: Trail Lodge Tea
Tea Description:
This is our own holiday creation; green and white tea combined with the flavors of eggnog. The combination of China Green and white tea brews up to a light and sweet liquid that combines perfectly with the flavor of eggnog. Real pieces of vanilla beans and nutmeg turns it into a truly guilt free decadent treat. Be sure to get some for gifts and to sip while you decorate the tree and listen to holiday music. Ingredients: Fair Trade Certified TM Organic China Green Tea, Fair Trade CertifiedTM Organic Pai Mu Tan, and Organic Vanilla, Organic Nutmeg, and Organic Natural Flavoring
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Wow! This tea is quite fragrant! As it was brewing in my Breville One-Touch tea maker in the kitchen, I could smell the distinct aroma of eggnog while watching television in the living room! It smells deliciously creamy and custard-like, and the scent of nutmeg filled the house … yum!
Admittedly, I don’t drink a lot of eggnog, as I find it to be a bit much. I like it, yes, but, after a few sips, I find myself wishing I hadn’t poured myself a whole glass, do you know what I mean? It gets so cloyingly sweet and overwhelmingly creamy way too fast for me.
But, I don’t have that problem with this cup of tea. Sure, it tastes rich and creamy and very eggnog-like, but, what I’m not experiencing with this cup of Eggnog Tea from Trail Lodge Tea that I usually experience with real eggnog is that palate-crushing, smothering sensation of creamy overload.
To cut through that creaminess, many eggnog drinkers add a shot of rum or other liquor to the custard-like beverage, but as I’ve mentioned several times on this blog, I’m not much of a drinker, so I don’t think that kind of addition would serve me well.
Instead, I’m finding the way to cut through the sweet, creamy decadence of eggnog is with a combination of white and green teas! They give this cup a lightness and a fresh taste that I don’t find in a glass of real Eggnog, and I like that difference very much. I like that I can enjoy a sweet, creamy eggnog-like treat, but without feeling weighed down or on the sugar high that real eggnog can take you.
THIS is my kind of eggnog!