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Kenneth Ave Advent Calendar – Day 17

I like this one and its not a standard flavor combination you see everywhere. It’s not the most unique but it was rare enough that when I opened this door and saw Lemon Mango Punch, I double checked to make sure that’s what I read.

I made this iced. Lemon comes in first but it ends on the mango note. A touch of lemon zest than lingers in the back of your throat as an aftertaste. It’s refreshing and juicy without being overly sweet or in-your-face. I think this is the first tea I would actually consider buying more of from Kenneth Ave. However, it’s not so good that its encouraging me to place an order with the company. One of those teas I would add if I needed to reach free shipping.

Geek + Tea Advent Teas – Day 5

I said that the smoke in the Gryffindor tea made me think of the Death Eaters. That means when I opened this tea dedicated to the Dark Lord and it was just a plain lapsang, I found it pretty appropriate. It’s a nice lapsang too. Not overly smokey but strong enough that it has some interest to it.

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar – Day 17

I have never had a hot toddy that I can recall. I know what they are but have never personally made one. From this, I would assume they are a combination of tea, citrus (specifically lemon/orange), and cinnamon. I am pretty sure that’s not super far off. I also get apple – which seems like it should be at home in a hot toddy but I don’t believe it is.

This is pretty cozy. It’s got a nice balance of citrus and spice, the former being a brighter flavor that sits on top while the latter gives this depth. Nothing screams alcohol to me, which is nice for my tastes. And the black tea base peeps through slightly to tie together the citrus and spice. Just a very cozy cuppa perfect for a snow-filled day!

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar – Day 16

My study-time tea. I am using the Pomodoro technique of studying where its 25 mins on, 5 mins off and then after so many cycles you get a longer break. It helps. Breaks it up so its not unbearable and overwhelming. However, that 5 minutes goes fast! Very fast! Like I am already in my final 1 minute, 30 seconds fast. So quickly, before my time is up…

I love Cuppa Geek’s other Pumpkin Chai tea so I was interested to see how this would compare. I have to say, I definitely prefer the other. This one isn’t bad and definitely have some cardamom lingering on my tongue but overall I like the balance of spice in the other. Also, I think the honeybush adds a sweetness here that I could do without.

DIY Advent Calendar – Day 16

I was trying to figure out how I had both a Geek + Tea tea and a 52 Teas tea today. Then I remembered this is one of the teas I already owned that found its way into my DIY advent. This is one that sounded good to me when I was shopping but due to the bergamot, I put off trying it for a while.

It’s pretty good though. Definitely get bergamot but it pairs well with the strawberry, which is sort of a bright flavor in the middle of the sip. At the end of the sip, cinnamon and clove pop up. They aren’t too strong though so overall this has some floral, some fruit, and some spice. All flavors are nicely balanced. That leaves me happy.

Kenneth Ave Advent Calendar – Day 16

Cold brewed this. Not overly excited about it since strawberry kiwi is one of those flavors that almost all companies have some sort of variation of. Like the others, this tastes good enough, kiwi at the front and then a strawberry gushers flavor at the end. I miss gushers. I probably won’t miss this tea.

DAVIDsTEA Matcha Advent Calendar – Day 16

Weird that DAVIDsTEA put their two honey matchas right after each other but it makes for a great opportunity to compare them. I wasn’t excited about this because lavender. I made it as an iced latte and was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. I would say this has more honey flavor than the sample did yesterday (probably because yesterday’s matcha tasted like marshmallows). It does has lavender but that’s a secondary flavor after the matcha. It’s also a soft lavender which is not at all perfume-y or soap-like. Also, no matcha flavor, which for me is a plus.

Geek + Tea Advent Teas – Day 4

I have been opening these teas and the 52 Teas teas on the same days that Roswell Strange has been. However, she gave everyone warning that she would be posting about them early. I did not so I felt bad potentially spoiling this and the 52 Teas advent for anyone. So, I have been writing notes in a word doc and sharing them on the appropriate day.

However, Roswell Strange knew I was opening these up so we would talk about them together. She mentioned really liking this one before I started drinking it. That boosted my expectations. I also was excited about a rhubarb ginger tea since both are strong flavors but we don’t see the pairing often. I was expecting flavor, whether I liked it or not. What I didn’t expect was for this to be pretty bland. I guess the issue is that I have not found any recommended steeping parameters, so I went to my default of 3 mins in 200F water. Its just doing nothing for this tea though. Hopefully the last serving I have of this will be better.
As it is now, the base black is nice in giving this depth but isn’t adding much flavor. And then I get a fruitiness. It actually is almost like a red fruits black tea that you would find from a French company. I am pretty sure that’s not what they were going for though and since Roswell Strange liked it, my guess is its user error at play here.

52 Teas 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 4

When I was scratching off this label, I saw “Banana P” and was disappointed. I thought it was going to be Banana Pancakes and while that tea is not bad, I am a bit over the pancake tea thing right now. I kept scratching though and when I revealed what this actually was, I was so excited! Banana Pudding is one of my favorites from 52 Teas so I was really happy it made it into the box.

Drinking it, I was so happy it was just as good as I remembered. Awesome banana flavor but with a lot of creamy coconut as well to sell the idea of pudding. And the black tea comes through as well. It gives everything a little bit of depth and a much fuller mouthfeel. It is a great tea and I am glad to have it back in my stash!

Kenneth Ave Advent Calendar – Day 15

My Plum Deluxe advent FINALLY arrived! Debating if I want to start opening it or just hold off on it for a bit.

As for this tea, I had it iced. It’s meant to be lemon and ginger but mostly it’s just a slightly medicinal rooibos with a touch of ginger finish. Nothing of interest really but nothing particularly bad either.