A Nice Cuppa

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — every store is bedecked in its holiday finest, and one local radio station has switched into all Christmas song mode. This early in the season, most people are excited and in the holiday spirit; they haven’t hit the holiday fatigue that comes with the panic of last-minute preparations.

My favorite tea emporium, Teavana, is doing their bit to get us all in a Christmas mood.  Their Holiday Blend tea has been put into heavy rotation at their tasting stand in the mall.  This tea is available year-round, but it’s really all about Christmas.

According to official description, Holiday Blend is ”a spicy combination of China black tea with rose petals, almond bits, citrus peels, cloves, and genuine Madagascar vanilla beans.  This tea contains nuts.”

I have a steaming cup in front of me, and the smell of cloves is the most powerful element.  There is also a hint of citrus, probably orange.  Holiday Blend is flavored black tea, and it does have a strong black tea flavor with an immediate kick of spice.  I don’t taste any rose flavor, and the almond flavor is minimal.  Each sip ends with a smooth vanilla finish.  Overall, it reminds me of a pfefferneuse cookie without the anise flavor.

Holiday Blend is a great, strong tea to keep you warm and awake through massive shopping sessions and all those Christmas specials.  Available at Teavana stores or online.

Photo from Teavana website.