Christmas Cake

100% spice cake, maybe with a hint of dried fruit in there, the kind that goes with those uber-heavy Christmas cakes. It’s a bit surprising how accurate the flavoring is, down to the breadiness of the taste (although missing in the mouthfeel). While spice cake has always been something I’ve kinda avoided, this does remind me of a spiced ginger cake my Mom would whip up at Christmas, saying it was a Dutch delicacy that we had to try. Yep, it’s pretty bang-on for that.

Thank you KittyLovesTea for this perfect 2-cup sample!

Well, I’m still alive. I was so sick over Christmas, with proper fully-signed-up flu. I had 10 days off work, which I’d been looking forward to all year, and I spent most of them either in bed or staggering around the house like a zombie looking for tissues and more medicine. I think I only drank one “proper” tea – this, which I took with me in my timolino on the one day I did feel well enough to venture out. It was a very sorry state of affairs. Now I’m back at work (of course I’d be well enough in time, because that’s how it works), not feeling very rested, but at least I can make up for some lost time in tea terms.

I started the morning with another cup of this one. My pouch is actually from the year before last (2014), but it hadn’t been opened before December this year so it was still fine. I’m really enjoying this one as a Christmas Cake tea. It’s got strong dried fruit flavours, a touch of nutmeg spiciness, and a good dose of vanilla to sweeten things up and add a deliciously creamy overtone. I adore the snowflake sprinkles even though they stick fast to the bottom of my infuser, and the glitter adds a little festive sparkle too. The pine needles are an inspired touch – this really is the best of Christmas in a cup. All the better for those of us who feel like they didn’t really have a Christmas this year, I guess! Maybe next year.

Additional notes: Advent stash selection from yesterday. ALWAYS a delicious hit with me. Somehow the first steep is still cakey! The second spicier. I wish the pine would last longer. They can’t ever stop blending Christmas Cake!
Also having 52Teas Chestnut Praline today and will be having Fairytale of NY (as my night tea) from my stash as B&B’s advent tea for today. Really…. this is why I don’t buy advents. ESPECIALLY a B&B advent. I already own most of the teas.
I am really craving nutty tea profiles and I’m not sure what I have around that fits that…. has anyone ever tried adding peanut butter to a mug of tea???

I was excited on this one as it smelled scrumptious, but disliked the taste immensely. To me it was weak on the tea – although I tasted it but very mild – and I detected some banana and cinnamon? Sadly not a fan.

Stunning tea. I had it in the advent calendar and it is rich, raisiny and sweet, with the almond note giving a really good marzipan icing flavour.

Bird & Blend Advent Calendar 2021: Day 21!

Another early morning; another Christmas tea. This one had a gently spiced marzipan flavor during the first steep, but the second steep is pure spice with maaaybe a hint of citrus—all the marzipan notes are gone.

Fairly generic, but the first steep was pretty nice.

Really wish this was available year around. Really delicious cup of tea that puts you in a very fulfilled mood. Nicely caffeinated with the taste of spice cake. What more could you ask for.

(#tiffanys2021sipdown Tea #2)

So I believe I made this tea as a cold brew pitcher (as I do most of my teas) 12/31 and then it was ready/drank it throughout the day 1/1/21? This is actually one of my favorite winter holiday themed teas even though I have quite a few large bags of this from B&B (formerly bluebird tea co).

#tiffanydrinkstea #tiffanys2021 #tiffanysfaves #tiffanyinthe614 #tiffanysteasipdown #sipdownchallenge

AJRimmer Advent Day 25

Happy Holiday, y’all! I sipped on this cup while watching the tiny roommates open gifts. I taste spiced caramel apple, which is strange after reading the ingredients! No caramel or apple, so I’m not sure what is translating into those flavors for me. I feel like I’m getting more clove than cinnamon, but the cup seems well balanced. It’s a nice festive cup to start my day with! Thanks AJRimmer!

B&B Advent 2021 Day 21

This one is a bit like a weaker Market Spice. I think I liked this one more last year but wasn’t as excited about it this year. A said she could taste marzipan!