Merry Christmas from the Tea Monster!

On the 12th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... Christmas Treat Oolong Tea!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! However you celebrate it, and even if you celebrate it at all, may today be filled with the right amount of good people, food, and your favorite tea. You know I am! While I may be chillin' at home with the brother-husbands, messages and calls from all my family around the globe pour in to check in, and I am so grateful to hear from all of them. It's so great to have ways to let your family know that even though you can't be there physically, you can at least send them some love and be there in spirit. Yay Holiday Spirit!

Anne really did save the best for last. This is quite a special tea - green, balled-oolong with spices, and banana. Smells divine in the pouch. I love the visual appeal of the banana alongside the deep green oolong. Back when I drank nothing but this style of oolong, I may have been able to tell what style or region or even season that tea is, but I have fallen out of the habit. The creamy scent of the banana matches the buttery smoothness and thick mouthfeel of the oolong. I like the added dimension of spices and possible marshmallow root. It adds a festive and warming vibe to the cup. Even though it doesn't sparkle or have any pretty sprinkles included, I still consider this a sparkle pony tea. The phrase also counts for decadent as all get out blends, which this tea definitely falls under. It's a great special tea for the holiday. I even felt the need to break out the gaiwan for this tea!

I am so glad that I got to take part of this countdown! Thanks to the wonderful minds at work at 52Teas for making great blends to drink and write about! Can't wait to see what else you have in store for 2017! Here's to blogging again and drinking great tea!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... Banana Pudding Black Tea!

Sweet freezing jeebus, it has been so goddamn cold this last couple days. Yesterday was so cold, my fat Alaskan Malamute, Kuma didn't even want to go outside. It dumped a ton of snow on our doorstep, and temperatures dropped to -5F during the middle of the day. And to think, it was in the upper 50's not two days before. Thanks Denver. So grateful for a steaming cup of black tea today!

Cold fat doge

I have had a couple of banana blends from 52Teas before, and I have enjoyed each one. I was unaware before opening the package that there would also be coconut in this blend. I can see the flakes of coconut being useful in achieving that creamy pudding feel in the tea. I also like the combination of flavors, it reminds me of a blend from Etsy seller Ami Tea created that Muse Monthly had in their box one month.

I confess, I really do not like pudding. I know, I know. Many people are surprised when I say this. It's all about the texture for me. It's thick and ultra-creamy texture makes me gag every time I put it in my mouth. I feel as if I am swallowing Crisco. I am the same way about mayonnaise. Thankfully, drinking a tea inspired by pudding does not have the same effect. This deliciously desserty blend was a good balance of banana, malty black tea, with a hint of creamy coconut. I got more of a coconut sprinkled banana bread rather than pudding. An interesting choice to have two blends with coconut in a row, but they are varied enough for me not to care. Another delicious day counting down the days till Christmas! Am I getting a bit stressed out just thinking about it? Yes. They say tea calms you down, right? *continually chugs tea* This better fucking work.