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2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #9

It’s March, so tea reflecting Ireland seems appropriate. I’m not a coffee fan at all. I try but I just don’t find it enjoyable to drink. I was worried that the coffee beans in this would put it in the “absolutely not” category. However, I like this blend well enough. Pretty sure that’s because my expectations were to really dislike the tea. It’s earthy and creamy. I definitely taste the coffee and cocoa. I remember passing off my first mug of this to the Mister, who does love coffee. I was thinking about passing this one off as well.

I’ve had this one in my cabinet for a loooong time. At least after my youngest was born for it’s healing benefits. I remember really disliking it then and not finding much in the way of health benefits. I decided it was time to get it out of the cabinet. Maybe it’s because I didn’t follow the suggestions for steeping on the box, but it’s not bad. Today I used a lower water temp (195F) and steeped for 3:30.
I seem to remember it having a mushroom like quality, but memory is a foggy thing. It has a leafy taste and reminds me of a sweet black tea.

2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #22

Best tea of the day so far. I really enjoyed the citrusy blend with the lavender. There’s a creaminess to it that reminds me of a nice lemon sherbet I had once. It’s been a stress filled couple of weeks for me due to volunteer roles I’ve taken on combined with my regular work stress. So sleep hasn’t been very easy. I’m hoping that this will help chill me out a bit this evening and I’ll catch a few good blinks.

2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #5

Second tasting for this one and while it smells great, I can’t say I get pina colada from it. There is coconut and a grassy flavor. I kind of expected it to be more sweet and wish I could get more of the pineapple flavor. I will admit as the tea has cooled off, I do like it more and think I should tuck the mug in the fridge for an “iced tea”.

2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #2

It’s school vacation week and since both grown ups have the day off work, we heading to Salem (MA) to be tourists. I anticipate it will be cold and raw near the ocean even though it’s another unseasonably warm day. I’ve been trying to finish up the 2nd samples in the B&B advent calendar. Since I sleepily boiled the kettle without thought, I had to choose this one.
Digestives aren’t typically found in New England markets but I have had them in the past from a British specialty shop. The tea reminds me chocolate graham crackers, which makes sense. I rather enjoy the scent- cookie, butter, chocolate. And those aromas carry through to the taste. There is a mild hint of spice to it that leaves a warm feeling in the back of my mouth. I don’t remember if I enjoyed this the first time around the advent calendar but after today’s mug, I’d definitely drink this again and purchase it too.

2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #10

Since my last caramel tea was so terrible, I steeped up this one hoping to enjoy. I can see the fruit and ginger pieces in the tea bag. The bag smells lovely and the scent definitely carried over into my mug. I could sit here breathing in the lovely cinnamon, cloves, and citrus scents. I’m reminded of homemade cinnamon rolls. I’m pretty certain I’ve had lebkuchen once at Christmas time. So I can’t say it absolutely smells like lebkuchen but I would guess it’s pretty close.

The tea is pleasant. I do get the salted caramel. The spices (clove, cardamom, cinnamon) are there but not overpowering. I do get a rather salty aftertaste. I wish I had added a splash of milk but I got distracted while drinking this and it cooled before I got to the bottom of the mug.

This was not what I thought it would be. It claims Caramel but I don’t get that at all. I do taste chamomile and black pepper. That’s all I taste (and smell) even though there is a ridiculous amount of ingredients listed for this blend. I’ll admit, I do appear to be yawning and feeling kind of cozy but I’ve also had a long week and probably should go to bed early.

Broke into the T2 sampler my friend brought back from Australia. I know I have tried some of the greens before but I don’t think I have tried this one. It’s VERY floral scented. I do like the balance of the Jasmine with the green tea. I was cautious to not over steep as I’ve ruined many teas that way. I steeped for just over 2 minutes. The mug was perfect on its own. I definitely would get this again.

I’m pretty sure I got this at work a while back. Since I don’t see it listed on the Republic of Tea website, who knows how old it is. I’m working on motivating myself to head out of a local trail hike this morning, so it seemed like an appropriate tea to have before I leave.

Steeped for about 6 minutes in boiled water. I’m reminded of the TM Throat Coat tea that I like. There’s a bit of spice to it. I also get some basil too. Packet describes it as having a citrus flavor but I don’t get that at all. It has an aroma that reminds me of soy sauce or tamari.

Will this energize me through the hike today? We’ll see. But I’d do this again if it was still available. A quick glance at Republic’s Be Well listings didn’t show a rebrand. So I’m guessing it’s been discontinued.

I’ve had this in the past and remember it being better. I’ve had other brands that had more of a calming effect. I would like less licorice root and more lavender. There is a taste I can’t identify and I wonder if it’s the catnip. I’m not sure I’ve had catnip before. There is a slight floral scent and a taste of mint.