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Last sipdown of 2025. I first tried this in a Tea Thoughts countdown box and liked it so much that I bought a whole package. I remember finding it sweet and soothing, but now that AJRimmer has pointed out the pickle quality, that’s all I can notice! Just goes to show how impressionable I am, I guess!

Tea Thoughts Winter Countdown 2025 – Day 19

Broke this in half and gong fu’d it twice over two days. I find it pleasant, but I’m also finding it very hard to describe, much like the Amber Sunrise. They’re different from each other, just both evading description at the moment. This one is a bit sweet, a bit floral, with a medium mouthfeel. Good for many steeps. I did a couple of steeps at boiling temp and that brought out an astringency and dryness I didn’t love, so I mostly stuck to the 195f-200f range.

Tea Thoughts Winter Countdown 2025 – Day 18

Day 16 was another pu’erh, so that got put aside for rehoming. Day 17 was a teapot-shaped sticker with a horse and floral motif – very pretty.

Mini cake! Teasenz notes that they think this is a good candidate for aging. I considered storing it to enjoy later, but chances are good I’ll forget about it, or something might happen, and then I might not get to enjoy it at all. So, on theme with the name of this tea, today I carpe diem. Except I find that I don’t have much to actually say about this one! It’s very smooth, with a bit of sweetness, no astringency, and medium body, and keeps going through many resteeps. I like it, but I can’t really articulate why other than “this tastes pleasant and cozy.”

This is my 1500th tasting note! Apparently I’ve had the idea of using this tea for a landmark number note multiple times – it was also the subject of my 100th and 200th tasting notes. I’m suddenly feeling very predictable…

This blend is over a decade old. Honestly, I’m shocked that it’s still good, even though it’s my own fault for hoarding it so. Still get that brothy, potato-y goodness with a bit of salt and a sweet apple-cinnamon flavor that comes out with a bit of sugar. Very happy that this is still enjoyable, but I think that one of my tea goals for 2026 will be to drink down most of my remaining Butiki blends. It’s time to let them go. They deserve to be enjoyed while they’re (hopefully) good.

I’ve been wanting a gingerbread cookie, probably because I haven’t had one this holiday season. Made myself this cuppa as an oat milk latte to try to satisfy the craving. While there is a cookie-esque quality to it, the gingerbread spices are a bit weak for my taste. I just want to dial up the flavor! Maybe less water/multiple tea bags would do the trick?

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer – Day 25

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today! I hope you are having a fun, drama-free day full of tasty treats and great gifts.

Gotta agree with Kelmishka on this one – I don’t understand how this peach-ginger blend is supposed to be gingersnap-y. It’s pleasant! I just feel like it’s more suited to a summer cold brew than a winter cookie vibe. Very candy-like peach with just a hint of ginger at the end.

I’m so glad I did the advent calendar exchange this year! AJRimmer included a lot of fun, interesting, thoughtful blends. Thank you AJ!

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer – Day 24

Ooh, I’d wanted to try this one. Clementine – check. Creamy vanilla note – check. It’s good hot, but even better as a tea soda. And now I want some fresh clementines…

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer – Day 23

Can’t remember the last time I had panettone, but it’s basically fruitcake, right? This blend definitely leads with orange and cranberry flavors. There’s no actual cranberry in here so I assume that’s the schisandra berries making themselves known – I don’t know what schisandra berries actually taste like. What really impresses me here though is the rich bready, cakey note that comes in at the end of the sip and lingers long after. I’d love to see that flavor combined with vanilla, maple, and cinnamon…

Homemade Advent Calendar from AJRimmer – Day 22

Oat milk latte. This just tastes like crystallized ginger. Which is a snack that I quite enjoy, so actually that’s fine! But I’m not picking up on the other flavors. Perhaps the flavors would be clearer without the oat milk?

Plum Deluxe Hanukkah Sampler (caffeinated) – Day 8

Last tea in this sampler is called “Festive Flame Black.” It’s a cranberry/cinnamon/orange blend. The cinnamon in this one is quite strong. I think most people would find it imbalanced, but I love love love cinnamon so this is a winner for me. Cinnamon up front, with the cranberry and orange sweetness coming in mid-sip. It’s more balanced hot, so that’s probably the best way to prepare it.