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Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar: Day 5

I am in wholehearted agreement with CameronB‘s review of this tea today: It’s a boring choice for the advent, and also not a particularly noteworthy chai! I also agree that the addition of “natural chai flavor” and “natural cinnamon flavor” is, as the kids say, sus.

Besides all that, I’m finding this one a bit too clove-y for my tastes. I like clove, but it tends to dominate my tastebuds, so I prefer a judicious hand.

I’m really taking my life (read: sleep) into my hands by drinking this at night. It’s a small cuppa, but still. Why do I do this to myself?!

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer: Day 5

Mm, this one smells so lovely. And it’s tasty, too! I definitely got buttery, cake-y vibes. The lemon comes through, but maybe not as strongly as I’d like. I’m a huuuge fan of lemon loaves of all sorts, and I firmly believe that they should be as zesty and lemony as possible — and that extends to lemon loaf-inspired tea, too!

I enjoyed sipping this one; just wish the lemon were turned up to eleven!

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer: Day 4

I was excited to open this one today — it’s super unique, with many ingredients I’ve never consumed (myrtle nuts! fireweed!). I love the brand’s ethos and approach, not to mention their gorgeous packaging and artwork.

Dry, this one smells all sorts of funky. Brewed up, there’s a ton more depth to both the aroma and the flavor, but I’m not sure I have the words to describe it! There’s a bit of earthy ’shroominess, and something slightly sweet, then a lil bit of cinnamon-y warmth, then something that almost reminds me of Cheerios — a sort of lightly toasted graininess. I love that the chai spices are mild, more accentuating the base than punching you in the face.

It feels like there’s a lot going on here, but in a very intentional and balanced way. Really enjoying this!

Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar: Day 4

I got two herbals in today’s advents, and they could not be more different! This one is light and bright and fruity. The hibiscus is blessedly mild, adding just a little juicy fruitiness. It’s not sour at all, despite the name. I’m not picking up on much lemon(ade), but there’s some very pleasant (and authentic) strawberry notes in there.

It’s a pretty mild blend, given everything that’s going on with it… I bet it’d be delicious cold-brewed. A real contender for summer drinkin’.

Tea Thoughts Winter Countdown: Day 2

I’m a day late for this one… I opened it yesterday evening, but it was on the late side for caffeine and I didn’t really have time to savor it anyway. I’m glad the Tea Thoughts countdown alternates between tea and stationery, because it eases the tea-drinking pressure just a lil bit!

This is verrry smooth and mellow. I honestly think my palate is broken, because I don’t get any floral notes, and definitely not jasmine. It’s a bit nutty and a bit toasty, laced with a smidge of earthiness I can’t quite identify. It steeps up a gorgeous amber shade, like a light whiskey. I’m drinking it in a mug from a 2022 Düsseldorf Christmas market; the mug is clear glass with the Düsseldorf skyline in white, little white dots of “snow,” and golden stars. The tea looks so pretty!

I’m perplexed about the taste here, but maybe I’ll get something different in the next steep! It’s still really nice, just not what I expected. Again… something may be wrong with my taste buds.

Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar: Day 3

Ooh, I like this! The blueberry flavor is so bright and intense, but really nicely balanced with the green base. I’m not sure I can pick out the oatstraw, but all the ingredients in this cuppa are playing together perfectly well. It’s smooth and soft and really yummy. I’d definitely purchase this one.

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer: Day 3

Deb always does the most with her blend names… and this one is actually quite restrained! :D

I have an odd weekly schedule these days. I’m at my internship M/W/F, then home T/Th for freelancing, homework, etc. Today is a home-day Tuesday, so I’m snuggled up on the couch with two dogs, one blanket, one cup of tea, and one bowl of oatmeal. It’s a bright, sunny day, but windy and cold, and I feel super cozy.

…however! After settling in, I got started on some freelance editing and neglected my tea and oatmeal. So I’m only just trying this tea now, and it’s lukewarm. Ah well. All the better to taste the flavors.

First impression is that this is a pleasantly mild spice tea. I’m getting ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon most predominantly, but they’re not overwhelming. The rooibos comes through very faintly, and more in scent than taste. There’s definitely a lightly bready note that’s evocative of cake (oops, sorry, “snack cake” XD), but I’m not getting any caramel except on the verrrrry back of a sip, and the vanilla is also minimal.

It’s interesting that this is a black/rooibos blend, because it really lets the spice cake flavors shine. I think I’d prefer a smidge more black tea to give it a bit of backbone, but that’s personal preference.

Overall it’s pretty smooth and pleasant, and not too sweet despite the maple and sugar. Deb suggests making it as a latte, and I bet it’d be excellent that way.

A very nice and seasonally appropriate mornin’ tea!

Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar: Day 2

My nighttime tea! I’m live-reviewing it.

OK, this is… interesting. First impression is that it smells a bit funky, but that’s fine. Flavorwise… the hibiscus hits first, and I’m worried it’s going to overtake the rest of the blend. But then it recedes, leaving something herbaceous laced with a bit of smooth honey. It’s interesting that they use agave flavor — it tastes like the honey flavor 52Teas uses in a few blends.

Oh, right, the base — the green rooibos disappears under everything else!

So, a bit tart/juicy, a bit smooth/honeylike, and a bit herbaceous. I probably wouldn’t pick up more of it, but it’s also quite unique and different from most of my herbal blends. A fun one to try.

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer: Day 2

Whew, this has been a DAY. Not a bad day, just a long one, with thing after thing after thing. It’s now 10:15 p.m. and I’m fiiinally writing this tasting note!

I was so happy to unwrap Manoomin Maple this morning, after wanting to try it for quite a while! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but — whoa. There’s a lot going on here. So much toasty vanilla maple goodness! I couldn’t suss out the berries or the coconut, but I’m sure they were contributing to the super interesting flavor profile.

There’s this one vegan marshmallow company that makes maple mini marshmallows, and honestly, that’s what this blend evoked for me most strongly! It’s soft and pillowy and sweet… but with a bit of depth from the wild rice.

It’s just sliiightly on the sweet side for me — I couldn’t see myself downing a giant mug — but it works really well as a dessert tea to savor.

Super happy to have tried this one!

Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar: Day 1

I ordered this calendar a month-ish ago and hadn’t unboxed it until today, and I was so pleased that it’s an actual hanging calendar! Very fun, and this way it doesn’t take up valuable counter/table space. I also think it’s quite charming that the foil pouches are hand-numbered on the back. It reminds me of the people behind the products!

Anyway, given my dislike of Earl Greys, I’m quite glad that this one is up first and out of the way! I’m not really giving it a fair chance, however, because I’m drinking it after eating some fairly spicy onion pakora, and bergamot + onion is… not great.

OK, I let my mouth cool down a bit… the bergamot is decent, but it’s just never going to be a favorite of mine. The base is quite thin, with juuust a hint of “wet dishrag,” but not enough to be offensive. I’d say this is probably a perfectly serviceable and pleasant Earl Grey if you like ’em!