259 Tasting Notes
A more traditional chai blend. There’s little else better than the sweet smell of chai spices in winter, and this is a blend with a scent that hits the spot! Although Debonair suggest serving this with milk, I found it wasn’t too bitter without, and allowed the spices to be tasted more clearly. Hello, warming notes of ginger.
Flavors: Cardamom, Pepper, Spices
Day 24 – As someone who isn’t a massive green tea fan, I was a little apprehensive about day 24. But, Westholme really did save the best till last! This mix of canadian grown tea leaves and twigs has been cold smoked over big leaf maple chips to create a strong punch of smoke, layer over a subtle toasty green tea.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Grass, Maple, Smoke, Smoked, Sweet, Toasted
Day 22 – Although this tea has the classic muscatel characteristics of darjeeling, they are much less refined. Instead this tea has adopted a more robust and astringent quality.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Astringent, Muscatel
Day 21 – This is a matcha (tea leaves ground into a powder), made from white tea grown in Kenyan mountains. The aroma is much less grassy than the normal green tea matcha, with a delicate bouquet fragrance.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Floral, Grass
Day 21 – Also known as “Nai Xiang”, which translates to milk fragrance, which is indeed reflected in the cup. The smooth creamy aroma and flavours, make it easy to see how this tea developed its name. Although, I once loved milk oolong, a string of fake (mainly flavoured) milk oolongs has ruined this wonderful liquid for me.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Cream, Milk
Day 19 – A revitalising mix of lemon balm, hibiscus, licorice root. ginger and rosehips. The combination of powerful herbs is designed to uplift, soothe and restore. Before steeping the aroma is full of ginger. Disappointingly (for me at least), the flavour is less ginger filled, more licorice.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Earth, Hibiscus, Licorice, Pancake Syrup, Sweet
Day 18 – I know I said I’m not the biggest fan of green tea, but there’s always an exception to the rule. Jasmine pearls are one of my ten. Anyone who follows the blog on the regular will know I had a slight obsession with jasmine in the summer of 2017 and just couldn’t stop writing about it. Anyway, these are very good. Perhaps not THE best I’ve had, but a close second with a succulent, dry, lasting flavour.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Drying, Floral, Jasmine
Day 17 – Moving on to bigger and better things! Today I got to experience Qu Hao, also known as Black Silk, a black tea from the Wuyi mountains. The flavour is delicious; nutty, cocoa flavours, that are almost creamy, and a thick mouth feel.
For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/
Flavors: Cocoa, Creamy, Nutty
Day 16 – Sharp, grassy and pungent. I’m ok with sencha, but I’ve never warmed to it in the way some people do (Hey, I already said I wasn’t a green tea gal). It’s ok, but I wasn’t stoked to see it the morning of day 16. Can’t win em all.
Flavors: Citrus, Freshly Cut Grass, Grass, Lemon Zest
