When this tea showed up on day five of my tea advent calendar*, I was immediately intrigued by the ingredient inclusion of chestnuts. Like, the roasting-on-an-open-fire kind? What does a chestnut even TASTE like, I thought to myself.
And then I brewed it up, immediately picked out the warm, toasty, nutty notes and went, oh yeah! I know what chestnuts taste like! I just had forgotten, apparently. If you’ve forgotten, too– well, they’re nutty. Warm. A little bit more savory than your garden variety almond, but not in a gross way, just in a way that evokes all the good holiday feels. Top it off with the creamy vanilla in this delightful black tea, and you’ve got a great cuppa. I don’t know if I’m picking up on the “meringue” flavor so much as I’m just getting delicious vanilla notes, but either way, it works here. With a splash of cream and honey, this makes for a decadent and festive morning cup that has nothing to do with peppermint or spice. Yum! I’ll at least *sip* this one over an open fire, any day.
*Can we all agree this is the best idea ever? I switched it up from my usual David’s Tea 24 Days of Tea to a calendar put out by my favorite Plum Deluxe this year, and it was a great call. I still like DT, but their offerings were getting boring (same thing! every year!) and PD’s is more than just tea. So fun!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Part of 2017 Tea Advent Calendar-this tea may not be available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Ginger Ninja from BlendBee. . . .
Let me take you on a little adventuring in brewing this tea, friends. Imagine: a normal office environment. One woman… her desk, full of tea. Her morning: slow and in need of a pick-me-up. Everyone else around her: hacking up a lung from the winter-sick that sets in every year around this time. She’s desiring something that feels a little medicinal, but also tastes good (obviously). Skeptically, she picks up this tea from her stash– “Ooh, ginger!” she thinks. “Oh… green tea?” This isn’t looking good for one such green tea skeptic.
Regardless, she pours some hot water from the tap, giving it a second to cool down, and hesitantly scoops the dry leaf into her cup. Two and half minutes later…
She takes a whiff. “Ooh, grassy– not my favorite,” she ponders. But she persists. A quick sip– “where’d that grassiness go?” she wonders. It’s gone! It’s replaced with spicy, warming, peppery ginger, a light hint of floral and her favorite: sweet and mellow licorice root. Sure, there’s a hint of green-ery (if you will) in the background. But it’s not overwhelmingly herbaceous, as her first sip would’ve had you believing. It’s sweet and warm and unusual, and surprisingly addictive– within a few minutes, she’s downed the whole cup. Who’s a green tea skeptic? Not her, anymore. Another cup? Don’t mind if she does…
And scene.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
You start off with nice and sweet Green Tea, Rose Hips, Licorice Root, Orange Peel and Stevia Leaf. Then your taste buds go for a spin with Ginger and Black Pepper. You’re welcome.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Day 8 of the 52Teas Countdown to Christmas!
On the 8th Day of Christmas 52 Teas gave to me…Creamy Eggnog Dusted with Nutmeg Green Tea! (Every time I write that line, I totally sing it in my head) So, I feel like eggnog is one of those things that you either love or hate. However- I am one of those people who actually is a little in between. I don’t really drink a glass of eggnog, I feel like I’m drinking cream. I do, however, enjoy the actual taste of eggnog and eggnog-flavored desserts. For example- I’m pretty sure McDonalds comes out with an Eggnog Milkshake in the winter and I do like that. Another example is I just saw a recipe for Eggnog French Toast that looks really good and I’m actually planning on making it for my family on Christmas morning!
Now, back to tea! I love, love, love the green tea base here. It’s light and not overly-grassy or bitter. It has almost a buttery quality. This is the perfect green tea base. I steeped this for exactly 2 minutes to make sure it was not oversteeped. The eggnog flavor is delicate but present and it’s not overly sweet or in-your-face, which I really enjoy. The nutmeg gives a little twist, and I feel like it was also very necessary to this tea! I always sprinkle some extra nutmeg on whatever eggnog-flavored item I’m making! It’s not a holiday box without something eggnog, is it? I feel like people who are on the other side of the fence with the flavor of eggnog would probably enjoy this anyway, as it’s a festive and yummy blend!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is not available but click below for teas that are.
