Westholme Tea Company

Day 18 – I know I said I’m not the biggest fan of green tea, but there’s always an exception to the rule. Jasmine pearls are one of my ten. Anyone who follows the blog on the regular will know I had a slight obsession with jasmine in the summer of 2017 and just couldn’t stop writing about it. Anyway, these are very good. Perhaps not THE best I’ve had, but a close second with a succulent, dry, lasting flavour.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 16 – Sharp, grassy and pungent. I’m ok with sencha, but I’ve never warmed to it in the way some people do (Hey, I already said I wasn’t a green tea gal). It’s ok, but I wasn’t stoked to see it the morning of day 16. Can’t win em all.

Day 15 – As I’m typing this up, DAYS after I opened day 15, I realise I have actually only have about 1 cups worth left. I LOVED this twist of the classic earl grey, consisting of orange peel, vanilla bean and bergamot oil. It’s sooo good! And all the better for having that sweet, creamy element of vanilla.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 14 – A perfect evening concoction. This caffeine free blend feels GOOD. It’s relaxing and restorative, in a way I never really felt from mint or nettle. Winner.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 13 – Apparently Lu Shan Yun Wu tea is fairly famous! Who knew? As I’m not the BIGGEST fan or follower of green tea, the fact I’ve never heard of it doesn’t surprise me. I wasn’t really looking forward to this one, but the sweet, slight toasted, slightly grassy flavour was pleasant enough that I would go back to it. Who knows, I might even finish the packet!

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 12 – I love a black tea and it’s always a delight to experience the rich, malty flavours of assam. I take mine steeped for 2 minutes, with milk. Please and thank you.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 11 – The first oolong of advent! This semi-oxidised oolong is from the northern most point of the Darjeeling region. Though not quite as tasty as your average darjeeling, this oolong is nutty, buttery and still very yummy.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 10 – “Gonna take some time to do the things we never had…” – Sorry, had to put that in, I’ve had it stuck in my head all. day. long. >.< Anyway, aside from my brain replaying song lyrics in my head… this blend of rooibos, lavender, vanilla bean and orange peel , was a delight! It smells sweet like marzipan, but once steeped the relaxation vibes come out to play.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 9 – After recent bad experiences with puerh, I was excited to see how this mini puerh cake would compare. The actual quality of the leaf was pretty much dust, while the smell was distinctly earthy and not overly appealing. However… the taste more closely resembled a black tea, with an intricate addition of rich, earthy notes. I think it will take some getting used to, but overall a far better experience when compared to the mouldy, peaty flavour of other puerh.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 8 – Grown at nearly 8000ft, this estate is one of the highest tea gardens in the world! The tea is characteristically bold and lively, giving it a great kick for a wake-me-up tea. Personally, I like a mild black tea, so I took this with good dash of milk.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 7 – Just look at those white fluffy buds! These beauts are grown at a Buddhist monastery in the Drum mountains (hence the name!) of China. Also known as Gu Shan Bai Yun. The flavour is gentle, almost melodic, sweet, fragrant and dry.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 6 – A wonderful, festive mix of classic chai ingredients (ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, orange peel, black pepper and cloves), swapping out the black tea for a simple rooibos. The strong sweet scent of rooibos often gives me a headache, but the spices covered this, turning the rooibos from sweet and sickly into a raw, earthy chai.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 5 – A sweet mix of hojicha, Japanese green tea, vanilla bean and rose petals. An aesthetically beautiful tea, but not my favourite so far.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 4 – “Mao Feng”, meaning fur peak, is a high quality Chinese black tea. The flavour is perfect for my taste buds; rich and smooth with smoked, toasted notes combined with hints of stone fruit.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/

Day 1: A great start to my 24 days of tea! Every morning, without fail, I start my day with an earl grey! This particular one is made with whole leaf Assam and Italian cold-pressed organic bergamot oil. The flavour harnesses the strength I search for, but rarely find. A fancy treat! It’s gonna be hard going back to my normal earl.

For more on my tea advent journey: https://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2017/12/02/advent-westholme-tea-farm/