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Kelmishka drank Black Forest by Yawn

327 tasting notes

Yawn Advent Calendar: Day 1

Treated myself to this calendar because I’ve wanted to try this company for a while! I also got one for my sister so we can do it together (from afar), since her birthday is at the end of November.

I wasn’t totally sold on this blend based on the scent alone — it has that not-quite-chocolate scent that sometimes turns me off and often translates to a lackluster flavor. But the brewed cup is actually delicious! It’s got big chocolate-covered cherry vibes, moreso than cake, but that’s not a bad thing. The cherry is super present and juicy, much more than I’d expected. I steeped it for about 4 minutes and it’s on the verge of being oversteeped, so I’ll probably adjust for my second cup. I might also try it with some NotMilk, because I imagine that’d round out the flavors nicely.

Overall, a great start to this calendar and a really yummy dessert tea.

Flavors: Cherry, Chocolate

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AJRimmer
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I had this calendar a few years back (when they were called Tea Revv) and considered buying it again, but I haven’t yet. It was definitely a mixed bag, but there were a few in there that I really enjoyed!

Kelmishka
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AJRimmer, yeah, I’m curious how it’ll balance out! My sister is further along than I am and she’s enjoyed everything so far.

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AJRimmer
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Kelmishka
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AJRimmer, yeah, I’m curious how it’ll balance out! My sister is further along than I am and she’s enjoyed everything so far.

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Bio

I was an anxious child who didn’t like change, so when my parents flew across the country for my grandfather’s wedding and left us kids with my aunt and uncle, I was a nervous wreck. Our first night at their house was tough. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and padded into the kitchen, where my aunt was puttering around. She could tell I was distressed and offered to make me a cup of tea. It was just Celestial Seasonings’ peppermint tea, but it was exactly what I needed. The tea itself, the comfort it represented, the ritual of making it… I was enchanted. I’ve loved tea ever since.

I’m partial to strong, intense flavors and prefer loose-leaf to bagged, but I also appreciate the convenience of bags and sachets. I mostly drink my tea straight but once in a blue moon I’ll add a little plant-based milk, generally oat.

I live in Maryland, USA, with my partner, three dogs, and one cat, and I’m an editor at an animal welfare nonprofit. I use she/her pronouns. I’ve actually been a Steepster reader for years and years, but only started posting in late 2021. :)

When I’m not drinking tea (or sometimes WHILE I’m drinking tea!) I’m reading, rewatching comfort shows on Netflix, going for a run, knitting, embroidering, hiking, or puttering in the garden. You can find me on Instagram at @kelmishka. (My account is private, but feel free to send a request!)

Favorite ingredients, flavors, etc.

Maple (all-time fave flavor!), vanilla, caramel, and all things dessert-y

Jasmine, lavender, violet, and most floral flavors

Most spices, although I go through phases and sometimes get bored of generic-feeling winter spice blends

Most fruity flavors

Matcha and other vegetal flavors

Not-so-favorite ingredients, flavors, etc.

Bergamot (I tolerate it, but it just doesn’t do it for me)

Hibiscus

Overly artificial flavors (banana, coconut, mango)

Overly herbacious blends, although this varies!

Stevia, monkfruit, and other sugar-alternative sweeteners — blech

Chocolate — it’s hard to get it right in tea, though I love real chocolate!

Animal products, including honey (long-time vegan checking in!)

My ratings

90-100: The best! Will almost definitely repurchase.

75-90: Really good, and potentially worthy of a restock.

60-75: Decent, if not terribly memorable.

50-60: In the “meh” range, but possibly for personal taste reasons.

35-50: I’m not a fan, and this is not very good tea.

20-35: Varying degrees of bad.

1-20: Actively bad. Like really bad. I can’t imagine anyone disagreeing.

Location

Maryland, USA

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