Tea Revv Advent – Day 2-5

Here’s a little update of my Tea Revv advent calendar for all you fellow tea drinkers out there.

(If you don’t drink tea there’s something up with you, but you could check out my Festive Feelings post instead, where there’s no tea to be found. Well not much.)

You can read more about the advent calendar and find out what the first tea I opened was here.

For update purposes I get a numbered sachet of loose leaf tea everyday. Each containing enough for 2 cups.

Day 2 – Ice Cream Earl Grey

I do quite like an earl grey, I find it very relaxing. It’s not something I drink often, more likely when I’m out than at home. So I was instantly intrigued at what an Ice Cream Earl Grey would taste like.

Like with all the sachets this contained enough loose leaf for 2 cups, I decided to add milk to my first cup today, as generally I have a small amount of milk in Earl Grey, and guessed it would compliment the ice cream flavour. I have to say here that I always pour the boiling water over the tea and let it brew a bit before I add any milk. I’m not one of those crazies that puts the milk in first. Also I don’t drink from bone china (often) and as legend has it the tradition of pouring a little milk into your cup first was to protect the china.

The tea had a slight purple tinge to start with before the milk was added, this could have been from the cornflower petals. I only added a splash of milk, as I don’t like milky tea, it didn’t look very strong but tasted fine.

A sweet aroma rose as the tea brewed, it did in fact have similarities to the smell of ice cream. As did the taste. On first taste it was like any good Earl Grey, subtly floral and soothing. Notes of vanilla can then be tasted, leaving a creamy aftertaste. It was refreshing and soothing. Thirst quenching.

I saved the second half of the sachet for the following morning, and as I enjoyed the first cup so much I added milk again.

Day 3 – Ruby Amaretto

Today’s is a Rooibos tea, which is a naturally decaffeinated variety. I know this because it’s a tea I like and know I can order when out if I don’t see a regular decaf on offer. For the past couple of years I’ve been trying to cut down my caffeine intake, reducing it to 1-2 cups of caffeinated tea per day (I drink at least 7 a day!), the rest decaf. And I haven’t knowingly had a full caffeine coffee for over 2 years.

These leaves looked really pretty, with some quite large chunks and pink petals.

On first sniff it sticks, but then an almondy aroma comes through. It’s quite a strong smelling tea so I think it just hit me, it smelt nice after that. In fact it smelt just like marzipan, although I detest the stuff, I do really like almonds and almond biscuits etc. I was unsure how this tea was going to go down, this could end one of two ways. In me, or in the sink. I didn’t add milk, even though the sachet suggested you could. Taking a small nervous sip…. it was delicious. It wasn’t too sweet so I didn’t compare the flavour to marzipan as much as I did the scent.

I had the second cup the same afternoon, so it must have been good. It went a little too strong for me the second time, I’d suggest brewing for around 3 minutes.

Day 4 – The Spiced Apple

Today’s is a green tea, I used to drink quite a lot of green tea, never the plain kind (that was a little too bitter for me) but flavoured ones. When I started cutting down on caffeine I stopped the green tea as I read it contains quite a lot of caffeine. So I’ve not had any in a while, but now and again isn’t going to hurt!

The label had a shorter brew time, 1-2 minutes. I know from experience that green tea can go quite bitter, so stuck to the instructions.

The smell was instantly fresh and reminded me of crisp apples. A sweet spice then came through and made me think of apple crumble, oh wait, apple strudel!

The sachet didn’t say you could add milk, and I wouldn’t have anyway. Milky apple, no. And traditionally a green tea isn’t served with milk. Not that I’ve seen anyway.

This had less dustiness in the bottom of my cup, whether that’s just strainer technique or there was in fact less dust to be had I’m unsure.

While piping hot it was rather tasty, but a slight bitterness came through as it cooled down. I don’t often add anything sweet to my teas, only honey to lemon and ginger if I’m feeling a bit worse for wear. I didn’t think until I’d drank both cups, but a little honey may have complimented this tea well.

Day 5 – Cold Killa

I’ve got to be honest with you I wasn’t excited when I opened this one! Just the title makes me think I’m unwell, and most things recommend for recovery don’t taste good.

This was a herbal tea, so I think no actual ‘tea’ involved. It was also decaffeinated.

The sachet needed a good shake up as there was quite the combination of bits inside and I wanted to make sure I got a bit of everything. Otherwise I may just end up getting the giant green bits, which I’m guessing are lemongrass.

On first sip it tasted ok, a bit lemony, I wouldn’t go as far as saying it was tasty but drinkable. That’s until the liquorice aftertaste hit me. Wow. I am not a fan of liquorice anyway, I’d never tried it in a tea though. I probably won’t be jumping at the chance to again!

This tea, like the previous one, did taste better piping hot. I must confess though as it cooled I didn’t manage the full cup.

I struggled with this so much I washed it down with a Quality Street. It is Christmas after all, and I do love those green triangles! Much more than I do Cold Killa tea.

I gave away the second cup. She seemed to like it.

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So that’s the first 5 days of advent opened. I think so far the Ice Cream Earl Grey is my tea of choice, with the Pumpkin Pie Chai a close second.

Do you have a favourite tea you’d recommend?

What advent calendar do you have this year?

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