27 Tasting Notes
This was my absolute standout favourite from the 2021 Advent Calendar. It was really Christmassy, with a perfect balance of tea, dried fruit and almond.
Flavors: Almond, Dried Fruit, Raisins, Tea
I only had the two bags from the Advent Calendar, I wish I had bought more of it! I drink most teas with milk so I brewed it reasonably strong. I’ve found out recently that many teas with fruit etc in need a longer steep (probably obvious to others but not to me!) If I wasn’t using milk, I would have added honey, which I find enhances flavours quite well.
I drink mine with milk and honey so I usually brew mine a bit stronger too, but this one tends to come out bitter for me. :/
This was an incredible surprise. I hadn’t tried a smoky-minty combination before, but it was perfect. A real fireside tea for a wintry night (even though Christmas is midsummer here). I wasn’t previous a fan of mint teas except when Morroccan-style (fresh leaves, quite sweet) but I will actively be seeking this combination out in future. It would probably be great as campfire/outdoor/billy tea.
Flavors: Campfire, Fireplace, Peppermint, Smoke, Tea
I liked this a lot, but even with a longer brew it didn’t quite pack the punch I anticipated. Definitely a more gentle and mellow one (probably because it’s Rooibos-based). It’s got a good popcorn/toasty flavour.
Flavors: Caramel, Popcorn, Rooibos, Toasted Rice, Toffee
PSA*** the international version of this tea is NOT the same as the UK version. I will rate based on the UK version.
An excellent, strong, rich, full-bodied tea. There’s a reason it has become the UK’s most popular tea. There are many UK sites that sell it. You don’t need to steep this for very long to get a truly excellent cup of tea. I would definitely take this tea with milk.
NB The version sold in Australia (and likely elsewhere) is packed in the UAE from an entirely different blend of black teas. The company is quite transparent about this – they’ve claimed “regional tastes” and also environmental issues re transporting African tea to the UK then to Australia. Whatever the reason, it sadly results in an inferior and much weaker tea than the original.
Flavors: Malt, Round, Tea
Preparation
This always seems like it should be a full-on pure green tea, from the name, but it’s a total strawberry pudding. With milk it’s a bit like a strawberry blancmange, it’s also great with honey/sugar or just plain. If you’re green tea averse or find green teas bitter, give this a go.
Flavors: Strawberry