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I had a hard time with this tea.

I love pineapple, and it’s so hard to find pineapple without coconut. I was delighted to see this tea when I opened the advent pouch. But the scent of the dry leaf immediately told me to temper my expectations.

There’s something really harsh about the scent. My partner said it was just a strong pineapple/spearmint smell, but to me it almost seemed like the pineapple had begun to turn? Just a little bit of old/fermented scent, and it didn’t go away for me when steeping (though thankfully the whole blend was not quite as potent brewed). Such a shame – I wanted to love this.

Plum Deluxe Caffeine Advent, Day 16

I can see why this would have been labeled “every day green” because it absolutely feels like a tea I could start every morning drinking.

This was smooth, especially at a 2 minute steep, and perfect for a second steep. It’s vegetal and refreshing without any of the bitterness I was getting from the Japanese Sencha earlier in this box. I’m going to have a hard time deciding which of these green teas makes its way to my cupboard after the calendar is over; there have been so many tasty options! My partner also liked this one a lot, which bumps it up on my priority list for sure.

DAVIDsTEA Around the World Advent, Day 16

This season is just so busy, I always get behind on the advent teas and notes.

I don’t have much to say about this one. I really, really tried to come up with some kind of flavor profile, but I just didn’t feel it tasted like much. It was almost like one of these green teas I’m really enjoying turned down to the lowest possible volume? I don’t think it was bad; I think I’m not sophisticated enough in palate to really get it. White may be something I just enjoy better with flavorings.

DAVIDsTEA Around the World Advent, Day 14

Decided to go out of order for this one since I’m behind anyway and Irish Breakfast seemed like it should be, well, breakfast tea (or at least early in the day).

I think what I’m learning through this advent is that I am more a fan of straight green teas than straight black, and perhaps that’s related to my inability to discern much going on in a straight black tea. This tea is fine – smooth, dark, bitter. It went well with the toast & jam I had for breakfast, so no complaints there. I just wouldn’t pick it on my own.

DAVIDsTEA Around the World Advent, Day 15

This is a pretty standard lemon/ginger tea, but I think this one has the balance right. The lemon is bright and fresh instead of medicinal. The ginger is present but not too sharp.

I don’t feel a need to have a lemon/ginger on hand. If I ever did though, I’d go for this one.

Plum Deluxe Caffeine Advent, Day 15

I should note, I am picky about cherry. I don’t like most cherry flavoring or cherry candy.
The smell from the bag told me immediately this one wasn’t going to work for me.

I kept sipping it, knowing I was not enjoying it at all, but not sure how to articulate it. It took a lot longer than I would have liked to pin it down. It tasted like cherry cough syrup crossed with a rose perfume.

While I love most things rose, even a strong rose, the combination was a hard pass.

Plum Deluxe Caffeine Advent, Day 14

I will admit, I was not looking forward to this one at all. Between nuts (fine, but not a favorite), the word “brulee” (often a sign of unpleasant sweetness to come), and rooibos (ew), this seemed like a bad fit for me all around.

I am so pleased to be wrong!

The toasted caramel flavor is prominent, with the nuts a pleasant background note for some more depth. The black tea in the blend does some heavy lifting too; in all, I don’t even notice the rooibos. This was delicious hot, still pleasant cool, and it has made my “buy more” list for the season.

Plum Deluxe Caffeine Advent, Day 13

I love the idea of s’mores tea but have yet to find a tea that really consistently nails it in practice. This one has a s’mores scent more than a s’mores flavor. Most of the flavor is a bitter black tea paired with also bitter dark chocolate – the bitterness is a dominant feature of this cup. I hoped the marshmallows in the tin would help with this, and I can taste them a bit at the end, but it’s not enough.

BrutaliTeas Advent, Day 15

I wanted to love this. The name makes me laugh, peach and rose are two of my favorite tea flavors, and it just seemed perfect. It was fine, but the peach notes were too strong and artificial over the floral, which was weak enough I couldn’t tell which flowers were actually in the cup. I found it better cool than hot, because the peach calms down significantly.

BrutaliTeas Advent, Day 14

This was an enjoyable chai. I didn’t actually realize it was supposed to have anything other than chai seasonings in it before reading Cameron’s tasting note; I didn’t get any kind of nut or chocolate from it. But the chai flavor was good. Another “enjoyable, but not a purchase” for me.

BrutaliTeas Advent, Day 13