Whittard – Christmas Tea

Time for Tea Please?

With there only being 3 sleeps to go it only seemed appropriate to have a festive brew. Today I’m sipping on Whittards – Christmas Tea .

For this blend Whittards uses a Black Tea with Flavouring. Reading the box it says flavours of spice and citrus.

Let’s get Brewing!

Each tea bag is individually wrapped.

Upon opening the tea envelope you are instantly engulfed with the orangey notes. With underlying tones of the black tea and spices.

Whilst brewing the aroma of tea really changes from its dry state. The black tea is now very much at the forefront of smell. With the spiced and citrus flavour aspect is now taking a back seat.

Like most black teas the brewed liquid is of a dar brown colouring.

As this tea is a flavoured a black tea , then I’m choosing to drink it black with no milk. However if you want to use milk , go for it , as teas unique to you.

Let’s get Sipping !

First sip is just tealicious! It’s rich in flavour and depth. The black tea really sings and packs a punch. However this tea is unique in which it has a two part sip.

This is where the first part of the brew tastes of one thing in this case black tea with the second part of the sip almost an after taste but not quite is where the citrus and spices start to shine.

The citrus side of the tea packs an orangey punch but adds an almost lightness to it . Taking the edge off the black tea. Which on the second part of the sip the black tea mixes with the spices where I’m getting aniseed and cinnamon notes.

The three aspects of the tea work together in perfect harmony with a strong fruity spice kick sip by sip. The perfectly warming blend just screams festiviTEAs and is the perfect tea for the Christmas period.

Happy Sipping 🙂

Whittards – Nutcracker Tea

Time for Tea Please?

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singling loud for all to hear! Or get pouring a massive pot of Tea. As most of my friends and family know I’m a bit of a tea but so what better way than to treat me is to buy me tea! After spending a festive weekend away with one of my besteas she surprised me with the gift of tea! A festive tea filled bauble of Whittards – Nutcracker Tea.

Isn’t it just the cutest!
Although it’s a bit big for my tiny xmas tree, hehe.

Once popping opening the bauble tin inside you find a tea pouch filled with tea.

For this tea Whittards blends : Rooibos, Hazelnut Brittle (sugar, hazelnuts), Pecan Kernels, Walnuts, Flavourings, Grated Coconut, Cinnamon, Stevia Leaves. Doesn’t that just sounds tealicious. Even better that its caffeine free and their for the perfect Christmas tea to sip on before bed time.

As soon as you open the tea pouch you are instantly engulfed with the smells of a rich fruity toasted aroma. The depths of the smells coming from the tea is very intense. The hazelnut brittle packs a very sweet intensity to the blends underdone by the coconut an almost toasted side to the nuts. It’s only within further scrutiny that that you can detect the Rooibos but it’s very subtle.

Let’s Get Brewing

The aromas whilst brewing doesn’t overly change from what it smells like in its dry state. It’s still rich sweet and toasty but the Roobois is still the hardest to detect.

The brewed liquid as expected with a tea blend that contains Rooibos is the distinct redy brown.

Let’s Get Sipping!

First sip is just tealicious !

I really am surprised by how nutty the tea really is! I know it’s called nutcracker but it really does fit it’s name. It’s rich sweet toasty. All the flavours work together just perfectly providing a hidden richness. It’s not until what I like to call the after taste the flavour of the Rooibos has its chance to shine. This isn’t a bad thing because it allows you to enjoy the rich nutty tones followed by the refreshingness and distinct Rooibos flavour. It’s almost like a mini pallet cleanser before the next nutty sip.

Now who doesn’t love a roasted , toasted nut at Christmas ? Not me and hopefully not you !

Happy Sipping 🙂

Aldi Infusions

Time for Tea Please?
With the festiviTEAs in full swing sometimes a cup of tea is all you need, for a minute of calm, as an alcohol alternative or just because!

Today in Aldi I spotted there Aldi infusions tea range which they on,y,bring out at this time of year. Two in particular caught my eye the raspberry Prosecco and winter spice. Perfect for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Happy Sipping 🙂

Higher Living – Mince Pie

Time for Tea please?

With one weekend left to get your Christmas shopping done, here’s another festiviTEA that you may wish to get for the teal over in your life! This time it’s from Higher Living and their Mince Pie Tea. Firstly,how cute and effective is the tea caddy! Certainly putting my in the festive spirit.

For this tea Higher Living blends Cassia, Licorice, Ginger, Cardamom seeds, Pepper, Cocoapeels, Cloves, Corinader, Cinnamon and Natural Vanilla Flavouring. All the flavours of Christmas and more so of mince pies in one hot warming mug of tea. Hopefully this may have added some extra gift inspiration for your present hunting. P.S. I spotted this tea in TK Max!

Happy Sipping 🙂

FestiviTEA – Ahmed Teas

Time for Tea Please?

It’s another tea find coming your way !
Helping you to find the perfect Christmas present for the tea lover in your life!
Today festiviTEA comes from Ahmed Teas. With their Christmas Ball Balls.

Not only do they look beauTEAful they sound super tasty too, especially pear and cinnamon. Now what tea lover wouldn’t love a tea filled ball ball on their Christmas tree ? I know I’d love one !!

Happy Sipping 🙂

Whittards – Christmas Tea

Time for Tea Please?

One thing I love about living near a Whittards is being able to pop in and try their teas. Particularly their festive ones so that I can share my thoughts with all of you. Today’s visit I was able to try Christmas Tea

For this festive blend Whittards uses a base of Black Tea, 4% Orange Peel, 2% Cloves, Flavouring, Safflower Petals, Vanilla Pieces.

As expected with a black based tea the brewed liquid is of a brown colour. Unlike brewing at home you don’t get that engulfing aroma. However it is still possible to get a waft of the spice tones.

First sip and it certainly has tastes of Christmas. The black tea works perfectly with the cloves and orange peel. Reminding me of a satsuma in my stocking! (Surely everyone gets one in there’s?)

To add an extra depth of layer to the tea the vanilla almost sets off a slightly nutty tone, which means the tea keeps on giving!

The flavours in the tea add an alternative to other Christmas teas as out only uses cloves so stays away from full on spice and stays away from being more of a chai tea.

Plus the tea caddy it comes in just screams Christmas!

Happy Sipping 🙂

Basilur FestiviTEAs

Time for Tea Please?

With the festive season in full swing it’s time to get sipping on Christmas favourites and flavours. There’s just something special about Christmas teas and drinking the flavours in and having the aromas around the house. So I’m always on the look out for new teas to try.

Today’s festivitiTEA find is from Basilur Teas.

Firstly how amazing is the packaging?

It’s picture perfect and would certainly make a beauTEAful present.

The tea blends are:

Winter Tea
For this blend is made up of:
100% Pure Ceylon black tea , cranberry fruits and cranberry flavouring
Frosty Night
Which is made up of :
100% Pure Ceylon black leaf tea, natural berberis, natural rosehip shell, natural white and blue corn flower and safflower and flavours vanilla and almond.

Both of these teas sound tealicious and would be the perfect Christmas tea for any tea lover!

Happy Sipping 🙂

Joes Tea Co – Christmas Chai Rooibos

Time for Tea Please?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas ! Thanks to the lovely people at Joes Tea Co. I’m also able to start drinking Christmas. There’s nothing better than on a cold day warming up your fingers on a steaming mug of tea.

Before even opening the tea pouch and basking in the aroma, the ingredients are already getting me into the Christmas spirit. This blend uses Rooibos, cinnamon, cardamom, mace, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, liquorice, star anise, fennel, orange peel, black pepper. All the flavours associated with the festive season.

Let’s get that kettle on!

Upon opening the tea pouch wowzer! It’s a super intense the cinnamon and star anise are punching at your nostrils along side a ginger kick with a fruity undertone. You may not be able to overly smell the Rooibos side of things but the chai side is screaming Christmas.

Mmmmm the hot brewing aroma is just tealicious! It certainly gets your mouth watering. The chai is so spiced and intense it’s gripping and i can’t wait to get sipping.

First sip wow wow wow !
Now that really is a winter warmer. The intensity of the flavour is amazing. Your hooked on the flavour straight away. The combination of the fruity tones add an extra depth to each sip which compliments the spice side.

It’s not really till the almost after taste of the tea that your reminded that it’s a rooibos tea. This isn’t a bad thing at all as it makes a change to find a chai based tea that’s not black and caffeinated. Therefore an all rounder tea best for any time of day.

It’s not just an any day type of tea it’s also one that tastes the same throughout the sipping experience. Unlike other teas that has its main flavour at the beginning or the end this one is maintains its taste level throughout which is a massive bonus.

This is the perfect tea to sit by an open fire with toasting your hands and roasting chestnuts. Ok maybe sitting with your back against the radiator is more likely but you get what I’m saying.

If you fancy trying out Joes Tea Co. Christmas Chai Rooibos. Hit the link !

Happy Sipping 🙂

Whittards – Silent Night

Time for Tea Please?

It’s festivitiTEA time!

Kicking off the Christmas season with a pit stop in Whittards of Chelsea and trying their silent night tea out.

For this loose leaf blend it contains Green Tea, Cinnamon Sugar, White Chocolate Stars , Cocoa Bean Pieces, Flavouring, Orange Peel, Rose Petals, Cloves. The perfect Christmas flavourings.

The aroma of the tea is lightly spiced with a very mild undertone of green tea. Unlike most green teas the brewed liquid is more yellowy down than a green. Which is likely to be down to the spice and cocoa.

The flavour of tea is interesting. It neither screams green tea or spice. It’s the perfect balance of both. It’s almost slightly earthy from its undertones of the cocoa. Yet it also a fruity floral side to the blend too. Meaning you don’t always know what sipping side your going to get. One thing for sure the green tea side of the tea has the smallest amount of taste to it making room for the festive flavours.

Happy Sipping 🙂

Merry Christmas

Time for Tea Please?
Merry Christmas everyone !


Hope you all enjoy the fesTEAve season.
I was lucky enough to receive this tea set from a friend.

They all sound lovely so can’t wait to get trying !
Happy Sipping 🙂