Advent Calendar from Kaylee: Day 8

Last night I had “Chamomile Fields” from Dunkin Donuts! I had no idea Dunkin had its own proprietary blends. Funny. I grew up in Rhode Island, where there’s a Dunkin on every corner and people are OBSESSED with them. Truly obsessed. But I think their coffee is terrible, and they don’t have vegan doughnuts, so it’s been a while since I’ve visited one! (Saying that, though, the Dunkins in Europe have a bunch of vegan options! I had a strawberry glazed one in Germany and it brought me right back to childhood.)

Anyway, I didn’t get much more than chamomile in this one despite it including orange peel, lemongrass, licorice root, and cornflower. A promising blend! Buttttt I realized this morning that I’ve brewed my most recent few tea bags in a very tall and narrow mug, and I’m wondering if that vessel shape just isn’t conducive to well-brewed tea. So I might not have done the last few tea bags justice. :(

Nattie

It’s crazy they don’t have vegan options where you are! I thought everywhere had at least a couple options now.

Kelmishka

It’s so weird — chain restaurants tend to introduce vegan options in the UK and EU waaay before the US (if ever)!

Nattie

I didn’t realise it wasn’t universal! That’s pretty sad.

Kaylee

Yeah honestly half the reason I included this one was the novelty of it. I was in college before I realized that America does not, in fact, run on Dunkin, and that it’s basically a regional chain. It’s just so enmeshed here. And I do personally prefer their coffee to Starbucks, for both flavor and value. But when I saw these tea sachets, I couldn’t resist buying them because it felt so much like the last place I’d expect to be selling their own branded tea.

Kelmishka

Kaylee, I love the novelty factor! As for the coffee, I realized I haven’t actually tried it in probably a decade… maybe it’s time to give it another shot. :D

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Comments

Nattie

It’s crazy they don’t have vegan options where you are! I thought everywhere had at least a couple options now.

Kelmishka

It’s so weird — chain restaurants tend to introduce vegan options in the UK and EU waaay before the US (if ever)!

Nattie

I didn’t realise it wasn’t universal! That’s pretty sad.

Kaylee

Yeah honestly half the reason I included this one was the novelty of it. I was in college before I realized that America does not, in fact, run on Dunkin, and that it’s basically a regional chain. It’s just so enmeshed here. And I do personally prefer their coffee to Starbucks, for both flavor and value. But when I saw these tea sachets, I couldn’t resist buying them because it felt so much like the last place I’d expect to be selling their own branded tea.

Kelmishka

Kaylee, I love the novelty factor! As for the coffee, I realized I haven’t actually tried it in probably a decade… maybe it’s time to give it another shot. :D

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Bio

(she/her)

I was an anxious child who didn’t like change, so when my parents flew across the country for my grandfather’s wedding and left us kids with my aunt and uncle, I was a nervous wreck. Our first night at their house was tough. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and padded into the kitchen, where my aunt was puttering around. She could tell I was distressed and offered to make me a cup of tea. It was just Celestial Seasonings’ peppermint tea, but it was exactly what I needed. The tea itself, the comfort it represented, the ritual of making it… I was enchanted. I’ve loved tea ever since.

I’m partial to strong, intense flavors and prefer loose-leaf to bagged, but I also appreciate the convenience of bags and sachets. I mostly drink my tea straight but once in a blue moon I’ll add a little plant-based milk, generally oat.

I live in Maryland, USA, with my partner, three dogs, and one cat. I’ve actually been a Steepster reader for years and years, but only started posting in late 2021. :)

When I’m not drinking tea (or sometimes WHILE I’m drinking tea!) I’m reading, rewatching comfort shows, going for a run, knitting, embroidering, hiking, or puttering in the garden. You can find me on Instagram at @kelmishka. (My account is private, but feel free to send a request!)

Favorite ingredients, flavors, etc.

Maple (all-time fave flavor!), vanilla, caramel, and all things dessert-y

Jasmine, lavender, violet, and most floral flavors

Most spices, although I go through phases and sometimes get bored of generic-feeling winter spice blends

Most fruity flavors

Matcha and other vegetal flavors

Not-so-favorite ingredients, flavors, etc.

Bergamot (…although it’s been growing on me lately!)

Hibiscus

Overly artificial flavors (banana, coconut, mango)

Overly herbacious blends, although this varies!

Stevia, monkfruit, and other sugar-alternative sweeteners — blech

Chocolate — it’s hard to get it right in tea, though I love real chocolate!

Animal products, including honey (long-time vegan checking in!)

My ratings

90-100: The best! Will almost definitely repurchase.

75-90: Really good, and potentially worthy of a restock.

60-75: Decent, if not terribly memorable.

50-60: In the “meh” range, but possibly for personal taste reasons.

35-50: I’m not a fan, and this is not very good tea.

20-35: Varying degrees of bad.

1-20: Actively bad. Like really bad. I can’t imagine anyone disagreeing.

Location

Maryland, USA

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