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Advent Calendar 2022 Day 12
Last one, from last year, though I have started my 2023 calendar already. I get why this one has been just hanging out in my tea bin though. It’s not super flavorful. Green Tea and Jasmine are there but I don’t get much sense of the pear. I describe it as a grassy green tea with a hint of jasmine.
The Bird and Blend calendar was a fun one to do last year. I managed to drink each tea each day but didn’t necessarily log them in order (obviously). After a while, I just decided that I would log them with the second tea tasting. Now to get back in the swing with the 2023 calendar!

Advent Calendar 2022 Day 23
I have 2 left to note about from last year. I might just make it before I open the 2023 calendar. Steeped for about 4 minutes in 195 F water. I don’t get much of a scent off of this one but I’m not able to smell much these days due to a lingering/new cold. The sour cherry flavor comes through very well though. I was expecting more creaminess but I’m enjoying the cherry well enough on its own.

I just got my new advent calendar and now I’m racing to finish off logging in last year’s! I snagged an herbal out of my box of teas to note about and didn’t really look at the ingredients. Steeped in just boiled water for about 5-6 minutes.
The first thing I taste is the hibiscus and then I get the sage. I only get a hint of the blueberry taste but there’s a strong fruit scent to the tea. It is very tart and drying. By the end of the mug, I decided I liked the sage but that was the only exciting quality. Otherwise, this one was rather boring and not one I’d be reaching for.

The last of the tin. I’ve had this so long, I’m not even sure where it came from. I’m guessing a gift from a friend’s travels to where huckleberry grow. They aren’t found local to me. Sipping between meetings and watching a video about a new tea service that opened in Boston.
It smells lovely and steeps up a dark brown color. It hits me as rather astringent but with definite huckleberry. I may have oversteeped but I remember having the same impression with prior mugs of this. Fixed it with a splash of milk.

Came home from breakfast out feeling out of sorts. So I snagged this one out of the “to try” jar and settled in with some comfy sweats. I really like this one. It reminds me of one of the cold teas I also enjoy. I should compare the ingredient listings to see what exactly it is that I’m favoring. I’m suspecting it’s the fennel or the licorice. There is a minty flavor as well that is enjoyable. It’s a sweet tea and very smooth. I don’t have any illusions that it’s going to cure what ails me, but it’s definitely making me feel a bit happier.

After reading the reviews on this one, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. I actually had been gifted a tea set from a tea friend that was made specifically for Tea Forte tea bags. There is a space for the little leaf to poke out of the top of the tea cup lid. The minute the hot water hit the tea bag I could smell the spices. I steeped for about 5 minutes and love the dark amber color of the tea.
My first few sips were very creamy. I attributed that to the buttered bread I had for breakfast while waiting for the tea but the creamy flavor lasted through the cup. The pepper is there and the other spices seemed to jump around from sip to sip- cloves, cinnamon, cardamom. Often with chai blends, I do add a splash of milk but I didn’t feel the need. It’s not the spiciest chai I’ve had but if this is representative of their blend, I would purchase it again.

I think this is the first tea out of the sampler that I’ve enjoyed. The chamomile is soothing with a warm citrus of the lemongrass and floral notes. I don’t sense the mint that other’s mention. This was a nice cup to have while relaxing this evening.

It definitely smells like Raspberry Ganache while steeping. It came out very bitter for me. I don’t think I oversteeped but I did get distracted by tossing a load of laundry in so it is possible. The raspberry is there and I get a “sense” of chocolate but also a chemical/artificial flavor kind of like coffee. This one was a cup that I didn’t finish.

Ehhhh too tart and drying for me. Definitely get the pomegranate but I don’t taste the berries. The green tea base is pretty subtle.