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Mariage Frères Advent Calendar – Day 1

OK… I didn’t love this when it made it’s appearance in the 2021 calendar – but I kind of like it now? The candy-sweet floral aroma of this tea is beginning to win me over. I’m also happy to get my violet oolong fix in any way I can, even if it comes with blue pea flowers (in 2021, I picked up more rose – and the label says rose – but I swear there’s violet too).

There’s also a zesty vegetal-mint aspect too, which could either be due to the natural profile of the Oolong, an added ingredient, or contamination. I hope it’s intended because I like it.

Steep Count: 5

Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 1

Maybe I’m not mentally ready to start the December countdown yet. Luckily, DF decided to throw me a nice, neutral black tea blend on the first day. It’s not particularly exciting, but it’s makes for a solid breakfast or a late evening tea (hindsight: I drank this late in the evening and then was up all night lol). It was tasty without milk too!

Not something I’d go out of my way to purchase more of, but still nice. My dad would probably enjoy it the most.

A friend brought back some tea samples from her trip to South Korea and the teas are delightful.

The dry tea satchet smells strongly of coniferous tree with a touch of tangerine. Surprisingly, the prominence of the tree note swaps place with the citrus once it steeps up. It’s such a juicy and smooth tangerine. It’s delicious, clean tasting, and refined. I wish I could spend more time with this blend.

Steep Count: 3

I received this as a sample in my last order and I liked it more than I remember. I’ve been feeling crummy lately (what’s new), and the combination of grassy and grainy flavours paired with the balanced but bright sweetness of raspberry is simply soothing to the soul.

I don’t usually go for herbal blends but I wish I’d picked up more of this now.

I should really branch out with what Christmas advents I get – try new teas, cheaper companies… However, I’ve desperately wanted to stock up on this no fuss, Nutella-scented, fall-in-a-cup blend since I ran out 9-10 months ago. The price on its own is not actually terrible either (before shipping, and all the other indulgences I added). Maybe next year I will switch it up and say no to more Nutella chestnut tea in my life (the thought makes me so sad).

What I most appreciate about this tea is that I can delude it with milk for an evening dessert latte, or steep it up strong and bold in the morning (or in the evening because who needs sleep). It’s not super complex but it accomplishes the objective it sets for itself. I respect that.

What a beautiful balance of floral and fruity notes in this delicious pouchong blend. Lupicia definitely knows what it’s doing with that peach flavour. My only complaint is that it doesn’t offer up as many subsequent steeps as some flavoured oolong blends do. It did do well both steeped up hot or as a cold brew though, and that’s another point in its favour.

Will definitely reorder more at some point.

It must be time for advents (specifically that DF order) because I just finished this off. Still one of my favourite mango teas – although, now that I’ve had the chance to try it, the ripe mango oolong from Lupicia is now a rival for that spot (different base teas and concepts make it hard to choose).

I picked up some of this on a whim when I went to restock Pumpkin Chai (at this point it’s a fall tradition more than a matter of taste). You know what? I think I like this better than Pumpkin Chai. It tastes fuller and better balanced; needs less tweaking. I think it may even have more “heat” than the DT’s chai blend. The citrusy notes from the spices and bergamot taste delicious when milk is added too. Like a cheerful citrusy spice cloud. On top of that, the vanilla-caramel notes give it a London Fog vibe. I’m a huge sucker for my LF’s even more so than the PSLs. This is the best of both worlds.

For me, this is on par, if not better, than a lot of the commercial pumpkin spice latte things out there. Now, it just needs to work with my Eggnog. Turns out the nog I bought is not lactose-free or going to hold up past our upcoming Thanksgiving weekend.

I should write notes on new teas in my cupboard but… I have this decadent blend again. When this, or any vanilla flavoured black tea, appears in my life it’s usually all I drink until it’s gone and I’m once again vanilla-less.

It’s a vicious cycle.

Just loving the quality of the bright raspberries and strawberries on the smooth but full Young Hyson base. I’ve enjoyed it so much I haven’t even gotten around to trying it as a cold brew yet.

EDIT- I coldsteeped my last serving and, wow, it was delicious. Always a delight to have a tea that tastes good regardless of drinking temperature.