Tea Time in December 2024 Box
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Time to read 7 min
Written by: Johnathan Milton
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Published on
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Time to read 7 min
Welcome to this month's selection of teas and pastries, where tradition meets taste to present a delightful array of flavors and cultural experiences. Discover the rich and complex notes of our Lai Châu Deep Forest Green from Vietnam, perfectly paired with the elegant Tree Cake from Germany and the delightful Matcha Cookie Roll from China. For those who appreciate a blend of fruity and floral flavors, our Fruits of Hawaii from Germany is an excellent choice, accompanied by the scrumptious Donut Peach Tart from South Korea and the indulgent Strawberry Cream Oreo from China. Our Ginger Elixir from the USA is included to expand your tea palate with its invigorating flavors, offering a caffeine-free option that complements the unique experience of this month's box. Join us in savoring the rich depths of flavor and tradition found in every sip and bite of our thoughtfully curated collection.
Follow our My Tea Time blog series to explore your monthly tea experiences. Without further ado, let's dive into our December tea selection!
Start a sensory journey to Lai Châu, Vietnam's deep forests, with our Origins Lai Châu Deep Forest Green Tea. This exceptional tea is harvested from ancient tea trees, some over 900 years old, in the Phong Thổ district. Each leaf is meticulously handpicked, reflecting the region's rich biodiversity and unique growing conditions. The result is a complex and refreshing flavor profile that captures the essence of Vietnam's pristine landscapes while supporting sustainable farming practices.
Tea Name: Lai Châu Deep Forest Green Spring 2022
Origin: Phong Thổ, Lai Châu, Vietnam
Elevation: 2200-2600m above sea level, providing the ideal climate for tea cultivation.
Cultivation: Manual plucking ensures the highest quality, preserving ancient tea trees and their unique flavors.
Harvest Date: Spring 2022
Brewing Instructions: For a perfect cup, use 1 tablespoon of tea leaves per 8 oz (about 240 ml) of water. Steep for 120 seconds, adding an additional 60 seconds for the second infusion, allowing up to 2 infusions. The ideal water temperature is 175°F (85°C). Enjoy the rich profile of this tea with these simple steps.
Our Lai Châu Deep Forest Green Tea offers a vibrant and fresh aroma with subtle floral notes, typical of high-quality green teas. The taste is smooth and mellow, balancing sweetness with a slight astringency. You’ll notice underlying earthy and woody undertones, reflecting the deep forest environment where the tea is grown. Each sip provides a rich, clear golden infusion that delights the palate.
Appearance: Slender and vibrant green leaves, indicative of meticulous handpicking and minimal processing.
Smell: A fresh, earthy aroma with hints of forest flower honey and subtle herbal undertones.
Taste: A smooth and mellow flavor with a balance of sweetness and a slight astringency, complemented by earthy and woody undertones.
Pairing our Lai Châu Deep Forest Green Tea with the Tree Cake and Matcha Cookie Roll offers a delightful and complementary tasting experience. These pastries enhance the tea's complex flavor profile, creating a balanced and enjoyable moment.
Baum Kuchen, translating to "tree cake" in German, is a traditional layered cake renowned for its distinctive appearance and rich heritage. The Premium Collection Cake - Baum Kuchen is crafted with superior ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. Made by brushing thin layers of batter onto a rotating spit, this technique results in signature concentric rings when sliced. The cake boasts a moist and airy texture with a rich, buttery flavor, often glazed with a shiny icing or chocolate coating. Pairing Baum Kuchen with our green tea enhances the tea's earthy and floral notes, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
The Matcha Cookie Roll from China offers a unique taste experience with its delicate balance of almond and matcha flavors. These rolled cookies feature a vibrant green hue from the matcha powder, often adorned with decorative swirls or a dusting of additional matcha. The texture is soft and chewy, complementing the smooth and mellow profile of our Lai Châu Deep Forest Green Tea. The earthy and slightly bitter notes of matcha enhance the tea's floral and sweet undertones, creating a refined and balanced pairing perfect for an afternoon indulgence.
Palate Cleanser (for taste testing): Saltine crackers are provided in our tea box to cleanse your palate, helping you fully appreciate the flavors of both the tea and pastries.
( Read more about Tea J Tea’s recommended way of tasting: Sip-Bite-Sip )
Discover the vibrant and refreshing essence of Fruits of Hawaii, a delightful tea blend that transports your senses to the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Blended in Germany, this blend combines the natural sweetness of various tropical fruits with subtle herbal undertones, creating a harmonious and invigorating experience in every cup.
Tea Name: Fruits of Hawaii
Processing: A blend of black tea with dried tropical fruit pieces and herbal infusions.
Year: 2024
Caffeine Content: Moderate
Brewing Instructions: For the perfect cup of Fruits of Hawaii tea, use one tablespoon of tea leaves for every 8 ounces (approximately 240 ml) of water. Bring your water to a boil at 212°F (100°C). Steep the tea for one minute, and if you desire a second infusion, steep for an additional 30 seconds. This method allows for up to three delightful infusions from the same leaves.
The Fruits of Hawaii tea captivates with its enticing aroma that blends sweet and tangy tropical fruits with subtle herbal notes. The first sip reveals a burst of pineapple, mango, and passionfruit, harmoniously balanced by the underlying richness of black tea. This combination delivers a refreshing and lively flavor profile that is both uplifting and satisfying.
Appearance: The brewed Fruits of Hawaii tea showcases a bright amber hue with vibrant specks of dried fruit pieces, reflecting its tropical inspiration.
Smell: A delightful fragrance of ripe tropical fruits intertwined with the earthy scent of black tea.
Tasting Notes: Expect a harmonious blend of sweet pineapple, juicy mango, and tangy passionfruit, complemented by the smooth and robust character of black tea. The finish is clean with a pleasant fruity aftertaste.
Enhance your tea experience by pairing Fruits of Hawaii with either the Donut Peach Tart from South Korea or the Strawberry Cream Oreo from China. These pastries complement the tea's vibrant fruit flavors, creating a delightful combination of sweet and tangy notes that elevate your tea-time indulgence.
The Donut Peach Tart seamlessly blends the classic indulgence of a donut with the elegance of a tart. Featuring a flaky tart shell filled with luscious peach compote, this pastry offers a perfect balance of sweetness and fruity freshness. The rich peach flavor complements the tropical notes of the Fruits of Hawaii tea, creating a harmonious and enjoyable pairing.
The Strawberry Cream Oreo adds a delightful twist to the classic Oreo experience with its creamy strawberry-infused filling. This pastry provides a fruity sweetness that enhances the tropical flavors of the Fruits of Hawaii tea. Combining rich chocolate wafers and creamy strawberry filling creates a delicious contrast, making each bite and sip a perfect complement.
Experience the refreshing blend of flavor found only in Explorer's Ginger Elixir Tea. This revitalizing, caffeine-free beverage is perfect for any time of day, made with a combination of premium ginger root, honeybush tea, lemongrass, and a hint of cinnamon.
Tea Name: Ginger Elixir
Processing: This tea is a harmonious blend of natural ingredients, including premium ginger root, honeybush tea, lemongrass, and cinnamon, to create a balanced and inviting infusion.
Year: 2024
Caffeine Content: Naturally caffeine free
Brewing Instructions: For the perfect cup of Explorer: Ginger Elixir tea, use one tablespoon for every 8 ounces (240 ml) of water. Heat the water to 212°F (100°C). To fully unlock its flavor profile, steep the blend for precisely 240 seconds. This blend also allows for a second infusion, prolonging the enjoyment of its comforting warmth. It is best enjoyed hot, with a spoonful of honey and a slice of lemon added to enhance its natural zest.
The Vanilla Horchata tea blend offers a sensory journey with its creamy, sweet aroma, reminiscent of homemade horchata. The comforting cinnamon spice complements the smooth vanilla, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is both rich and inviting. Whether enjoyed as a warm cup on a chilly day or a refreshing iced tea, this blend is sure to captivate your palate.
Appearance: The tea presents a visually appealing mix, with tea leaves interspersed with flecks of natural ingredients, echoing the colors of a traditional horchata drink.
Smell: The aroma is a delightful combination of creamy vanilla and warm cinnamon, evoking memories of freshly made horchata.
Tasting Notes: The flavor profile is a well-balanced combination of creamy vanilla and spicy cinnamon. Each sip offers a smooth transition from sweet to spicy, providing a unique and satisfying taste experience.
Are you interested in previous Subscription Boxes from previous months? Check out Last Month’s box (October 2024 Tea Time in A Box).