Each year during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I always look forward to the tea advent calendars our beloved tea companies offer. I have enjoyed several from a variety of different tea companies, but one of my favorites each year is the advent calendar offered by Adagio Teas.
This tea calendar is filled with a lovely assortment of teas to enjoy for the avid tea drinker to the occasional tea drinker to the tea drinker who just started their tea journey. The variety of flavored teas is always lovely and this year was no exception. This year I even picked up a few advent calendars for my kiddos to enjoy and I can’t wait to see them sipping their teas while enjoying time off during the holidays. 
Starting on December 1st- there was a lovely single loose leaf serving waiting for me to enjoy. The listing of teas is on the site if you want to take a peek but I won’t spoil too many of them here.
The first tea for December 1st was Honeybush Pumpkin Chai– one of my favorite decaf blends from Adagio Teas! This blend is so versatile- by itself the tea presents as a lovely way to enjoy the spices of fall without the caffiene. The pumpkin flavoring is a bit hit or miss but brewed up as a latte, you have yourself a delightful autumnal treat with notes of cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla notes.
What I personally love to do with this tea is blend the tea with Adagio’s Vanilla Flavored Black tea or Adagio’s Cranberry Tea. Both create such unique layers of flavor and (IMO) umpfs the flavor profile and really highlights the lovely fall notes… especially when the Honeybush Pumpkin Chai is blended with the Cranberry Black Tea. The tart notes combine lovely with the chai spices and provides this unique underlaying tone of freshness. 
Passionfruit Tango was the second tea of the calendar and this tea was fabulous! I remember trying this tea once and not being a fan but this little serving of the blend changed my mind on the tea completely.
This blend is a unique blend of passionfruit flavoring, cinnamon, rose petals and more. Right there the blend seems a bit odd but truly the cinnamon and rose create a spiced floral scene for the passionfruit flavoring to connect with. I really enjoyed the fruity spiced floral notes- more than I thought I would. I was actually a bit sad when my sample was done giving after a few steepings. This will be one I’ve already earmarked for a future (fingers crossed) birthday purchase down the road.
All in all, a great start and even tho I am a few days late, I believe there is still time to order this awesome collection of teas. I love how each tea is packaged in single servings so you can try out a variety of teas that Adagio Teas offers without committing to a larger size.
If you are looking for a delightful gift for the tea enthusiast in your family or just a lovely way to celebrate the holidays, highly recommend the Adagio Teas Advent Calendar.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Variety
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Day 24 of Plum Deluxe’s Tea Advent Calendar- Spoilers
Day 24. . .we are almost there to the end and I have to say, this has been a tea adventure for sure. Today’s tea had me giddy as soon as I saw the title. . . Snow Covered Blueberry White Tea! Squee!! I am not a black tea girl at heart and a good chunk of the teas in this advent calendar have been black tea based. So I’m beyond excited with the idea of this white tea.
White Tea, blueberries, and peppermint are not a flavor combo I’ve had before but I’m happy to give this tea a try. I prep my water up to the recommended 175F and allow the tea to brew for 4 minutes and cool for 2 more. Take my first sip and I am delighted.
Blueberries, white tea, and peppermint are all present flavors and not one flavor is more prominent than the other. I will say that I wish the peppermint flavor was a bit more highlighted just to elevate this tea a bit more on the festive level, but that is just me. Beyond that wish, this tea is delightful. The flavors are more on the lighter side so I can’t say that it wowed me away, but it definitely is a solid cuppa and one I won’t have a problem having another serving of. Just a delightful ditty to enjoy on this cold blustery afternoon.
I can see this blend being a great one to share with friends and families that may not necessarily be tea drinkers because it does have a lighter touch. A great tea to have on hand when you are looking for a lighter tea to carry you away!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
This tea is part of the tea advent calendar offered by Plum Deluxe.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Day 21-Plum Deluxe Tea Advent Calendar. . .Spoilers!
Day 21 and I’m not going to lie, I was crazy excited about the tea blend just by the name alone. . .Banana Bread Dessert Tea! I mean seriously, does it get any better? I couldn’t wait to check this blend out so I prepped up freshly boiled water, allowed the tea to steep for five minutes and cool for an additional two. I poured myself a huge cuppa and sat down to enjoy what I thought would be banana goodness.
Upon first sip, it seemed I didn’t really get much in the way of banana but more chocolate. I noticed that while the tea was steeping I was getting some pretty heavy notes and didn’t really get much in the way of banana there either. Though I was bummed I didn’t get the banana love I was hoping for, this tea is still rock solid and delicious. The chocolate, honeybush, and cinnamon mingle together in a wonderful way providing this delicious flavor.
There is a subtle nutty flavor here and there and I think that is possibly where the chestnut essence is coming to play but with the bold flavors going on, I think the banana just isn’t there for me. Now I do have to say, I’m a banana freak so I was hoping for a blast in your face banana flavor.
Even though this tea didn’t quite deliver the flavor on the label, I’m still devouring this tea down and have had several more cuppas. I’m going to say that Day 21 was a successful blend indeed!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
This tea is part of the tea advent calendar.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Day 7-Day 18-Plum Deluxe Advent Calendar Countdown. . Spoilers!
I’ve missed a few days here and there posting my thoughts on the Plum Deluxe’s Tea Advent Calendar and thought I’d do a quick summary of the last few days. . .
Day 7- Honey Dust- This is an example of some of the goodies that are tea related that you can find in the countdown. I’m not a huge fan of adding sugar to my teas and typically don’t use honey except for on biscuits but I’m sure I’ll find the right tea to try this lovely delight on here in the upcoming weeks. Not necessarily something I would personally pick up myself, but its cool that I’m able to try the honey dust.
Day 8- Chocolate Hazelnut Chai Tea- This black and honeybush based tea was delicious! I loved the nutty and chocolate notes way more than I thought. This is one of those teas that I didn’t think I would like but wanted something with a hint of spice so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Really delicious and another example of a chai tea that doesn’t go overboard on the spice which I really appreciate it. Big fan of this one and would be a tea I would like to have more of for sure, especially with the cold winter months still ahead of us here in the Midwest.
Day 9- Gratitude Blend Black Tea- This black tea based earl grey tea sounds amazing but I am not a fan of earl grey and actually have trouble even drinking earl grey teas. I’ll be passing this tea along to someone I know will love it.
Day 10- Snowman Ornament- This little ornament is very charming and would be a great addition to a desk size tree or one of the miniature trees. I have a feeling I’ll throw this guy onto a bow to dress up a package for the holidays.
Day 11- Snowy Mountain Black Tea- Black Tea, Orange Peel, Chestnut and Vanilla flavors. . .if that doesn’t scream holiday flavors, I don’t know what does. I’ll be honest, I haven’t tried this tea just yet only because I wanted to enjoy this tea with my dad on Christmas. I thought I’d whip us up some Snowy Mountain Black Tea Lattes while we watch the kiddos open presents. I can just tell this blend is going to be a winner.
Day 12- Nice Vanilla Spice Herbal Tea- I’m literally finishing up this sample right now. If this tea isn’t available on the Plum Deluxe site, then I’m going to beg Plum Deluxe to blend me up a ton of this herbal. Ginger root, cinnamon chips, fennel seeds, and vanilla extract. This tea doesn’t look like a whole lot but wow this tea is as soul soothing as you can find. Wonderful crisp ginger marries perfectly with the sweet cinnamon and the fennel and vanilla add to that lovely playful taste. This is one of those mugs you just wrap your hands around and sit back. Absolutely perfect!
Day 13- Reading Nook Blend Black Tea- I have a confession to make. I am one of those tea drinkers that dislikes lavender. . .a lot. I actually blend up my own teas and do have a lemon lavender tea that I adore but that is literally the only lavender tea I’ve ever liked. This blend looks to have a lot of lavender in it so I’m going to pass this tea along to someone that will thoroughly enjoy it.
Day 14- Caramelized Mango Black Tea- I’m bummed. This tea sounds amazing but I see the second ingredient is Red Rooibos. I wish honeybush had been used, but alas, I can’t complain. Unfortunately red rooibos and I do not get along so I will be passing this tea off to one of my Sisters who I think will love this blend.
Day 15- Slowly Unwind Herbal Tea- Wow, this tea is amazing! Sweet, fruity, with a hint of floral and earthiness. . . I don’t know why I’ve been digging herbals so much lately but this one is another stellar example of an herbal tea done right. You’ve got your honeybush base which gives this sweetness almost vanilla touch, berries which provides a bit of a tartness with the familiar berry flavor, and you’ve got your rose which gives you that elegant floral touch. I actually added in more rose petals because I just love rose petals that much and wanted to really kick this tea up. Really delicious and really comforting during this busy season.
Day 16 (posted earlier this week)
Day 17- Creme Brulee Grey Black Tea- Again, another wah wah moment for me. I know I mentioned this earlier but I’m not a fan of earl grey and actually have trouble drinking teas that have Bergamot Oil, so this tea is another blend not for me but again I know just the right person who I think will dig this blend way more than me.
Day 18- Lift Your Spirit Black Tea- I’m one of those tea drinkers that smell the blend before they brew the tea up. Thank goodness because I didn’t fully read the label on this blend and unfortunately for me, I see red rooibos in the ingredient list and can totally pick up on that red rooibos aroma just from the dry leaf. I know I should probably just be a big girl and try it, but I’ve had several red rooibos blends including a few Plum Deluxe and I just know for a fact that I won’t care for this blend. Instead of wasting the tea, I’d rather send along to someone who I know will enjoy it.
Here’s hoping that Days 19-25 contain some amazing goodies for me!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Advent Calendar
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
52Teas’ the 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 3- Spoilers
Day 3!
Today’s flavor is Raspberry Almond Cookie Honeybush. Right away I notice the fragrant raspberry scent and see the vibrant color pop of dried raspberries in the dry leaf.
This is an herbal blend that reminds me a bit of those thumbprint jam cookies that pop up on cookie plates during this time of year. This blend is a bit more marzipan than butter cookie, but the almond nuttiness still pairs well with the natural caramelly, woodsy flavors of the honeybush.
I think this blend is best when brewed hot and strong for maximum flavor from the honeybush. Play up the dessert name by serving it as a foamy latte. Perfect for a before bed brew while putting out the cookie plate for Santa.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description:
When it comes to my tea flavors, there is usually some sort of inspiration behind it. Quite often, it was a flavor conceived during an afternoon of browsing through Pinterest. (I do like Pinterest!) I don’t really recall where I got the idea for a Raspberry Almond Cookie tea – but if I were to place a bet, my bet would be that I found it during a Pinterest browse.
I’ve never had a raspberry almond cookie. But when I think of “Raspberry Almond Cookie” – my mind evokes a thought of one of those little thumbprint type of cookies, you know, the cookies with a little indentation in the center where you could put a dollop of jam or marmalade? So, imagine that – if you would. A delicate almond shortbread that engulfs a little mound of raspberry jam.
And that’s exactly what this tastes like. I taste a good amount of raspberry and almond flavor and even a hint of buttery cookie. This is a naturally caffeine free treat – so it would make for a perfect dessert-y drink that you can enjoy before bedtime without worry that it’ll keep you up past your bedtime!
