Noël en Provence

This is one of the many blends that my friend Cameron sent me in our first swap (thank you, Cameron!) Before our swap, I didn’t know that Dammann Freres existed but I haven’t explored many tea companies other than my go-tos. First off, I love the smell of this blend. The scent alone is so comforting and welcoming that I’d steep it just to smell it. Taste-wise, I love this blend! I love figs, Italian Christmas wouldn’t exist without something with figs in it so this blend reminds me of home. I love the subtle fruitiness and sweetness of this blend, I preferred it without any additions.

This was the first tea I tried from a collection of samples I got from Courtney, and I was initially a bit scared that it would be too floral based on the perfume-y scent. But it smelled lovely and teas often smell more flowery than they brew up, and thankfully, that was the case here! There was still a hint of that, but I mostly enjoyed how creamy and lightly sweet this one was, thanks to the fig and strawberry notes. Super tasty, my worries were completely unfounded.

I can’t get over how perfectly fig jam this flavour is, with hints of strawberry complementing. I think the flavour is getting more perfect as time goes on!

We’re making an Italian Christmas Eve dinner of conchiglie ripiene al forno and panforte for dessert! Then tomorrow we’ll have our Nova Scotian Christmas dinner. Is anyone else making a special meal tonight or tomorrow?

Advent Calendar Day Seventeen

Yes, Fig and Strawberry! A pairing I know very well.

So, there are two fig/strawberry things that I buy grocery wise that I absolutely NEED in my life because I will consume them on just about everything. The first is a Fig/Strawberry balsamic reduction which is my go to sauce/dressing and the other is a fig/strawberry balsamic chevre. So obviously I like fig and strawberry things; though it’ll be interesting to see how this fairs given it’s missing the balsamic component which is present in both my fig/strawberry foods…

Fig? Check!

Actually, the fig in this one is really familiar but unlike the frustrating Apple Ale white tea I had earlier today from Q2T I actually know why this is familiar. It’s familiar because it tastes exactly like the fig notes in Dammann Freres’ Fig Fraiche blend. So no surprises here: it’s smooth and well defined, as it should be.

Strawberry? Also check!

This one is bright and fruity, and it tastes a lot like the kind of strawberries you’d eat out of your grandmother’s garden – which is to say there’s an unrefined quality, and a bit of extra tartness/zippyness to them.

The pairing is, of course, delicious. As I expected it to be. But wait, there’s more folks…

Creamed Honey!? Extra check!

So, I definitely knew this flavour was supposed to be in the blend – but I was so caught up on the strawberry and fig that I really wasn’t looking for it. As well, honey is a flavour in tea which often merges with fruit notes/the other ingredients and then just comes off as extra sweetness. However, this is REALLY pronounced and well defined. It tastes like honey, and a lot of it at that. To me that doesn’t mean it’s cloying or over the top; it’s just super clearly there. More than the fig, if I’m being honest.

I REALLY loved and enjoyed this one! Definitely one I’d pick up for myself in future orders.

Superanna began a Thanksgiving tradition a few years ago of bringing a Christmas tea to serve after the meal when we are playing games. This year she brought this one and Christmas by Whittard’s of Chelsea. It will not be in my cupboard long because it is delicious and youngest is guzzling it.

This is a black tea with fig, strawberry, and honey flavor. The base is smooth and the flavors really have melded with the base for a seamless flavor. I love honey flavor in tea and it really complements the fig. We are loving it!

Thank you, Superanna!

Ah yes, figs and strawberries, that makes a lot to sense. I pulled this out of my DF box because I wanted something French to go with my maple creme cookies after going for a walk. I couldn’t remember what was supposed to be in this one but I figured, hey, Christmas! Hey, it’s coming soonish! I should try it. Finally.

The fig note is already oh so familiar to me after having a few cups of Figue Fraiche. And the strawberry tastes like jam. I picture scones as I’m sipping on this. I wish the base were a little milder, though, so the flavours can shine through more. I was afraid of steeping this any longer than two minutes because I’m sure it could go bitter relatively quickly.

Hope all the Canadians had a fantastic Thanksgiving! What did everyone have for dinner?

Ordered this a couple of months ago and managed to forget about it. It’s good. Very fruity in flavor, kind of a nutty note too. I don’t remember what is in this one but it’s good.

I brewed this once in a Teavana 16oz Glass Perfect Tea Maker with 3 tsp leaf and 190 degree water for 3 min.

This is definitely a winner from Damann Freres! Lots of dried fig and raisiny goodness. MMmmmm!

I am drinking this cup of tea while wrapping my Christmas gifts; one of my favorite things… :)

I was excited to try this tea because it sounded like it was a most delicious combination of fruits. Now that I’m sipping it, it’s perhaps a bit too subtle. I don’t taste individual fruits, but more of a medley, similar to fruit leather. It is tasty, but perhaps not a re-purchase for me. As always, happy to have tried this one!

December 16 – Advent 2014

Sipdown! (22 | 177)

An oldie but goodie. Although it has lost quite a bit of flavor, I think. I don’t remember it being so subtle before.

I can still bits of the honey-fig-strawberry jam combo though. It’s a very sweet and ooey-gooey, sticky flavor. Would be lovely with a cheese board, he he.

Not sure yet whether I’d reorder this one, it’s difficult with DF because you can only get 100g, and I’m not going to drink that much of a single tea easily.