As the days get shorter and the dark stretches longer, unsurprisingly I’ve been looking for comfort. For me, that looks like the typical things– a warm bath, a cozy blanket, a cup of tea (duh. :)), a burning candle, twinkle lights, good food, my favorite book, and the list goes on and on.
A few years ago, I learned that this innate need for coziness and comfort that always pokes its head out during this time of year has a name! And an entire nation of people who are experts at practicing it! Who knew? This Danish concept, hygge, is the idea that when it gets darker and colder, rather than feel despair, we need to treat ourselves extra kindly, do extra-good for ourselves and others, and really take impeccable care of ourselves.
This tea, (a delightful blend of black tea, rooibos, rose and almond) has become my new favorite for sipping when I’m channeling my own inner hygge these past few weeks. A collaboration between one of my favorite podcasters, Jess Lively, and one of my favorite tea companies, Plum Deluxe, this tea perfectly touches on light, delicate flavors while still remaining a balanced blend of hearty black and rooibos tea.
Which, let’s talk about that for a second– I think black/rooibos blends are quickly becoming a new favorite of mine. The nutty earthiness of rooibos in this blend in particular is a match made in heaven for the black tea base. No astringency or acidity present, just a hearty-but-delicate, floral-but-nutty hug in a cup. I’ve found this one pairs equally well with quiet mornings reading under a blanket in the sunlight as it does with afternoon self-care pick-me-ups.
As a latte, the rose and almond really shine, but even brewed straight with a dash of coconut milk, it’s exactly the kind of embodiment of cozy hygge that I’ve been looking for this season.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Rooibos
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below to see what black teas are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Holiday Blend Alert! Holiday Embrace from Plum Deluxe
Here in Wisconsin, we’re known for a few things– cheese (of course), beer (naturally) and cranberries (apparently). While I’m not sipping the former two in tea form anytime soon, any chance I get to rep my state with a tea comprised of the latter, I’m all about it. (But listen, I’ll never say never to the beer/cheese tea given the right opportunity.)
This holiday blend from Plum Deluxe is an absolute delight in dry leaf form. The spices and fruit are big and chunky, looking and smelling like the most delightful holiday potpourri you could imagine. Traditional chai spices mingle beautifully with orange peel and cranberry, making this tea a slightly sweet and spicy herbal perfect to be sipped on snowy nights.
My only complaint about this one is that the pieces are SO large that I’ll likely blow through my ounce in no time. But that just means I’ll have to stock up on a few bags for the long winter ahead!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
We love this spicy herbal tea shared with family and friends during the holidays. Fresh, dried cranberries are paired with orange peel and a melange of spices. The warming fruit flavor feels so good paired with tasty snacks or after a hearty meal. This tea also makes for a wonderful gift.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Meadow Walk from Plum Deluxe. . . . .
You know when you find a tea that’s perfect in every way? Not too sweet, but just sweet enough?
Complex flavors that blend beautifully, unexpected and fresh but comforting all the same? I know. It’s rare. But I think I’ve found that tea for me, and it’s this insanely delicious herbal from Plum Deluxe.
A base of green rooibos with lavender, blueberry and rosemary– I wasn’t sure how this one would pan out when I added it to my tea of the month order, but it seemed too interesting to not give it a try.
Rosemary? And lavender? With fruit?! This coulda gone reeeeally badly, but it somehow all works together so, so wonderfully!
The rosemary and lavender are herbaceous but not vegetal, and the blueberry sweetness rounds the cup out beautifully. This one is just as great as an after-dinner stomach settler as it is a midmorning treat.
It’s not often that I can claim a tea to be like none I’ve ever tried before, but this one totally fits the bill. Plum Deluxe knocked it outta the park on this blend, and this will be one with a permanent spot in my tea cabinet, for sure!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
One of our favorite places for inspiration is Nature. From field to forest, we love it all. We thought it’d be fun to have a tea made just for hiking, but also great for those days you can’t get outdoors but want to feel nurtured by Mother Nature. That’s what led to our Meadow Walk blend. We use a delicious green rooibos tea base and add a curious trio of blueberry, lavender, and rosemary to create a wonderful flavor profile. Extra bits of floral and berry come together to create your new favorite herbal tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spicy Caramel Apple Cinnamon Herbal from Plum Deluxe
Living in the Midwest has spoiled me, you guys. I recently left my full-swing-of-fall homestate for a business trip to Texas, and was shocked when I stepped off the plane and was greeted with a wall of thick humidity the likes of which we hadn’t seen near the Great Lakes for months. You see, the second the first cool breeze and slightly orange-tinged leaf make their first appearances here in September, I’ve busted out my entire (vast– trust me.) collection of scarves, colorful tights, and obviously– autumnal teas 🙂
This limited 
edition autumn blend from Plum Deluxe hit all the necessary checkpoints for a perfect seasonal blend– spicy? Check. Slightly sweet? Yessir. Caramel-y smooth? Done and done. Upon first blend, my cup is evocative of an afternoon in the orchards– the apple notes are present and delightfully smooth. I will say the second steeping loses the apple for me, but the cinnamon remains, and it certai
nly can carry this tea on its own. Whether autumn is in full swing where you are, or you’re sweating it out in the sunshine and greenery, this tea is a great one to carry you through the season!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Nothing says fall flavor better than apples and cinnamon — and we’re taking it to the next level with the addition of fresh spices and a splash of caramel, to create the perfect tea paired for enjoying freshly harvested foods, carving pumpkins, going on a walk in the fresh autumnal air, or savoring your own special fall moments.
Even better, our spiced caramel apple cinnamon tea only has a pinch of organic rooibos tea as a base, making it caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it as an after dinner treat or a lovely bedtime companion.
This is a limited-edition tea available until Dec 31st, or while supplies last.
All Plum Deluxe teas are hand-blended and infused with love in Portland, Oregon. Each 1 oz tea packet makes 15-20 cups. All organic ingredients — no sulfites, no artificial chemicals, non-GMO.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Midnight Melange Black Tea from Plum Deluxe
Midnight Melange – Midnight Melange – Midnight Melange…say THAT 10 times fast! Midnight Melange is just FUN to say, isn’t it? Midnight Melange Black Tea from Plum Deluxe is also TASTY to sip on, too!
Midnight Melange Black Tea from Plum Deluxe contains Black Tea, Hibiscus, Lemon Peel, Rosehips, Rose Petals, and Vanilla. The black tea base is medium strength. It has a tarty-tang of the hibiscus but I have to say it’s NOT overdone, thankfully! The lemon peel cuts the tart from the hibiscus a bit and I like that. The vanilla prevents it from not being too citrusy or too tart, overall. The rose does seem to give it a hint of floral flavor but it’s underneath and in the background.
Midnight Melange Black Tea from Plum Deluxe DOES brew dark. It smells like a tart black tea with rose which totally makes sense based on the ingredients! The end sip and aftertaste – especially after naturally cooling at room temperature for a while – are that of lemon peel and I absolutely LOVE the way that peel lingers.
I do really like this Midnight Melange Black Tea from Plum Deluxe. If I wanted this for a first-of-the-morning tea to smack me in the face I would love the black tea base to be more prominent but overall it is a nice flavored black. And other companies should take note as to how this specific tea worked with hibiscus! Nicely done…NOT overdone at all…just the way hibiscus SHOULD be but rarely is.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
This tea is no longer available but here are teas that are!
