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From Lexie in her advent package, thanks! This one is subtle but vanilla at the end and maybe a bit of hazelnut (even more subtle than the vanilla). There is some malty assam goodness as a base here, with no astringency. Its quite a nice cup and I’d be tempted to add it to an order if I ever get around to ordering from Lupicia (tea-sipper published a sale code from 3 leaf tea so that sucked me in already this year).

I put off tasting this one because I’m not fond of prickly pear flavoring (tried to use the fruit to make juice once and all I did was get lots of little pricklies all over the place and not a whole lot of juice) and there just seemed to be too much going on here. Strawberry and prickly pear and bergamont? How uninspired. The opportiunites to capture Yellowstone are endless: bright colors as many of Yellowstone’s geologic features are vividly colored; candy like for the flowstone by Mammoth; or wooly like a bison covered in snow. It’s a good thing S&V have lots of other yummy teas or I might give up on them!

I’ve never been a fan of nutella as I think its too sweet, but this is pretty close. Chocolate up front and nutty goodness on the back. All made from puerh, so a different base than other chocolate teas. I think this could find its way into my shopping cart sometime soon (along with the salted caramel puerh)!

A unique take on a chai, with cardamom and a methol finish. I’m not sure this is spearmint or peppermint flavored, but there is both a spicy and cooling aftertaste to this tea. Its different, but it reminds me of a blend I would concoct on my own, not purchase from a fancy tea store.

I had a small cup left of this swap from Shae, and it brewed up sweet and light, like vanilla cotton candy. What an enjoyable cup, I wish it was available on the Whispering Pines web site. Thanks for sharing Shae!

This was an advent tea from Lexie that fell through the cracks and didn’t get brewed on schedule. But bonus for me, I get to enjoy new to me tea in January! This is a nice earthy shou, quite drinkable with a bit of dirt and a bit of barnyard thrown in. There is some astringency here, could be I brewed this too fast for the tiny pressed leaf. Its a quite pleasant cup, though I have plenty of other shou to sip down so I don’t think I need this in my cupboard. Thanks Lexie!

This was included in Lexie’s advent box, thanks Lexie!
I wasn’t expecting much here as I’m not a big fan of their regular chai, but this has a nice mellow pumpkin and a ginger note too. Steeped up nicely in my go cup when I probably steeped it too long. I’d grab a box of this if I saw it in the store. A nice change of pace from regular chai.

Wow this looks like dust or fannings, but boy does it brew up nice. It says to steep for 3-5 minutes but the size of the leaf lead me to brew at 2 minutes. And it is strong! I am working on a course and adding notes to each slide I have created. Its tedious work and I might brew more of this nutty, delicious caffeinated elixir until I am finished. I might need this in my cupboard at all times for a sleepyness emergency!

I tried this grandpa style with about 5 pearls in a cup. I liked this way of brewing and watching as the leaves unfolded. The brew was malty with notes of brown sugar. Added water several more times and it continued to provide a nice cuppa. I’d add this to an order :)

A refreshing blend of grapefruit and orange without being bitter or ‘mate’ tasting. I am enjoying this change of pace from cinnamon and other winter flavors. It seems to have enough caffeine to jump start me this morning, and I’d certainly give this a go as iced tea. The second steep has more of a sweet grapefruit flavor. I might need some of this in my cupboard!