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“Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar – Day 12 (originally written November 12th) Haven’t been doing much in the way of tea today. I had one at work. But then I saw a note from ashmanra that...” Read full tasting note
“Thanks for this, Tamarindel! This one reminds me of spring somehow. A lovely green tea with strawberry and chocolate. Since there is also a creamy scented element, the blend probably reminds me...” Read full tasting note
“Cold steeped this one too, but ughhh, that was not a good idea. The chocolate notes, which I couldn’t taste at all when I steeped at 180F, are now very strong but also very bitter. The hay notes...” Read full tasting note
Delicate and delectable – you’ll fall in love with this new green tea blend! We’ve combined a Chinese green tea with strawberry fruit pieces, organic cacao nibs, and a fragrant fresh strawberry flavoring, to create a blend that is refreshing and aromatic. The tea brews to a distinctive ecru cup with a light strawberry cream taste and just a hint of chocolate.
Ingredients: Green tea, organic cacao nibs, strawberry flavor and strawberry fruit pieces.
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Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar – Day 12
(originally written November 12th)
Haven’t been doing much in the way of tea today. I had one at work. But then I saw a note from ashmanra that mentioned potato soup, so once I left work I had to head to to store and pick up the ingredients to make my own. With shredded sharp cheddar and bacon on top, of course! (I made way too much soup! At least I don’t have to worry about work lunches for the week!)
Anyway, the tea. This is a strawberry cream green tea with cacao nibs.
It’s not bad, but not remarkable either. The green tea base doesn’t have a lot of flavor – just a bit of grass and dried leaves. I can taste the strawberry, though it’s not strong. I’m not sure I’m really getting much in the way of cream or cocoa.
Mostly just a rather generic strawberry green tea that’s not all that flavorful. Meh.
Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Candy, Grass, Strawberry
Thanks for this, Tamarindel! This one reminds me of spring somehow. A lovely green tea with strawberry and chocolate. Since there is also a creamy scented element, the blend probably reminds me of a chocolate covered strawberry cream candy (and the green tea could look like grass in an Easter basket!). Yum! I don’t see too many cocoa nibs within the blend, but the taste of cocoa is there. Both strawberry flavoring and strawberry pieces represent the strawberry. I think they work very well with the green tea that is both refreshing and showcases the chocolate and strawberry. A delicious, sweet tasting cup. It’s almost the green tea version of S&V’s strawberry cupcake blend!
Steep #1 // 2 teaspoons for a full mug// 32 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 25 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Cold steeped this one too, but ughhh, that was not a good idea. The chocolate notes, which I couldn’t taste at all when I steeped at 180F, are now very strong but also very bitter. The hay notes are still there, and the astringency is somehow stronger than ever. I do get some of the strawberry, but it is overwhelmed by everything else happening in the glass. Welp, experiment concluded. This is NOT the way to prepare this tea.
Oh my goodness how many tea advent calendars did you buy? I am so jealous – that seems like so much fun! I will look forward to that in like…. 20 years… But maybe next year I’ll have my husband make up advent calendars by company – I can have Butiki, DT, AQ2T, 52Teas… haha.
ALL OF THEM.
But seriously, I bought 5 this year (6 if you count Bonne Maman).
Wow! Which one is your favorite? Or which ones would you get again next year?
I would say I’ve liked the Bird & Blend calendars the best this year. I also really enjoy the Dammann Frères calendar, but didn’t order one this time around.
The Simpson & Vail and Palais des Thés have been worthy of buying as well, and I would consider getting them again in the future if the teas included weren’t exactly the same.