As the holiday season approaches, it's time to cosy up with a warm cup of Christmas tea that not only warms the soul but also brings a touch of seasonal magic to your teacup. The festive season is infused with flavours like eggnog, gingerbread, masala chai, salted caramel, marzipan, cranberries, mulled wine, apple-cinnamon, chocolate, tangerines... Let's explore the best Christmas teas that can invoke these festive flavours in the cup!
Tchaiovna - Mulled Wine
Based in Scotland, roots extending to Czech Republic, Tchaiovna is renowned for its chai and inventive blends. Their Mulled Wine Tea embodies the essence of alcohol-free mulled wine, a perfect choice for the festive season! This blend, reminiscent of a cozy kaleidoscope of freshly ground spices like cinnamon, cloves, pepper, as well as apple pieces and hibiscus, radiates warmth whether sipped piping hot on a wintry day or served refreshingly cool during summer. Crafted from Martin's old Czech family recipe, it's a delightful brew that promises enjoyment from the depths of winter to the bloom of spring. Don't miss their Yogi Yogi Chai, a timeless classic and all-time best seller!
Shop HERE.
Pekoe Tea - Christmas Blend
Pekoe Tea Edinburgh's Christmas Blend Black Tea encapsulates the essence of the season, offering a soul-warming infusion crafted from a blend of black tea, fruits, and spices, lightly kissed with a hint of vanilla. This hand-blended creation from Edinburgh combines the rich flavors of apple, cinnamon, cloves, and orange, creating a comforting beverage that embraces the holiday spirit. Packaged with care, whether in infinitely recyclable tinplate caddies or compostable stand-up pouches, this blend reflects both quality and environmental mindfulness, making it the perfect companion for your festive moments.
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Rishi Tea & Botanicals - Houjicha Chai
Rishi Tea's Houjicha Chai presents a captivating twist on the traditional masala chai, blending fragrant cinnamon, earthy licorice root, aromatic spices, and deeply roasted chicory root with roasted green tea. While masala chai is a Christmas must-have for invoking festive cheer, the discovery of houjicha chai elevates the experience for tea aficionados. This Japanese roasted green tea boasts delightful nutty, toasted, and chocolatey notes, harmonizing beautifully with the added spices. For an indulgent treat, blending it with milk and honey enhances its deliciousness, offering a truly delightful brew that stands out during the holiday season.
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Conservatoire des Hémisphères - Noël aux Hémisphères
Noël aux Hémisphères is a festive fusion of Assam black tea from South India blended with aromatic apple wedges, orange peels, and cinnamon sticks. Enveloped in the harmonious embrace of cardamom and delicate rose petals, this blend wishes you a Merry Christmas from the heart of the Conservatoire des Hémisphères. To enhance the experience, the brand recommends pairing this tea with the iconic Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," a perfect musical accompaniment.
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Paper & Tea - Chocolate Cure N°725
Paper & Tea's "Chocolate Cure" merges the revered qualities of cocoa beans and shu puerh tea, cherished for centuries by cultures around the globe for their uplifting and comforting nature. This powerful blend, thoughtfully crafted, serves as a delightful post-meal digestive while harnessing the invigorating and mood-enhancing properties of both ingredients. And! Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without chocolate!
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Dammann Frères - Rooibos de Noël
This French tea company offers a delicate blend of rooibos with gingerbread, orange, cherry, pink peppercorns, ginger, and clove. A great caffeine-free alternative for merry celebrations.
Shop HERE.
What About Pure Camellia Sinensis?
Photo by Rojs Rozentāls & Katrina Wild. Gui Fei Oolong near Gauja in Sigulda, Latvia.
While blends are not everyones's cup of tea, we have curated pure leaf teas perfect for setting the festive mood. Let's set aside green teas for the upcoming warmer months and delve into the "darker" options, renowned for their warming qualities and delightful hints of honey, nuttiness, toasted notes, and fruity tones.
Chá Camélia - "Pipachá" Oolong Matured in Portwine Pipes
Chá Camélia's Pipachá is an organic oolong matured in portwine pipes, blending intricate dried fruit flavors and delicate tannins, absorbing the nuanced essence of port, offering a unique tasting experience. Encased in a 75g wooden box, it's a symphony of dried fruits, honey, and an elegant portwine aroma.
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- Wuyi Yancha (rock tea): Rou Gui ("Cassia"), Da Hong Pao ("Big Red Robe"), Tie Luo Han ("Iron Arhat"), Bai Ji Guan ("White Cockscomb"), Shui Xian ("Narcissus Fragrance/Water Sprite", Qi Lan ("Rare Orchid").
- Guangdong's Dan Cong (Phoenix oolongs): Mi Lan Xiang ("Honey Orchid Fragrance"), Xin Ren Xiang ("Almond Fragrance"), Rou Gui Xiang ("Cinnamon Fragrance"), Gui Hua Xiang ("Osmanthus Fragrance"), Po Tou Xiang ("Ginger Blossom Fragrance").
Si Chá have a wonderful selection of Wuyi teas. Shop HERE.
- Red Teas: Yunnan's Dian Hong (China), Wuyi's Jin Jun Mei and Tong Mu Guan Hong Cha (China), Mi Xiang Hong Cha (Taiwan), Wakoucha (Japan), Warnagala wild black tea from Forest Hill (Sri Lanka), Kumari Gold (Nepal Tea Collective), Hồng Trà from Hà Giang (Vietnam), Satemwa's Handmade Treasure (Malawi), Renegade Tea Estate's Smooth Jazz (Georgia). The list of wondrous red tea origins can continue endlessly!
To further explore treasures of the world of tea, we recommend taking a look at An Shim Tea's collection.
Shop HERE.
- Taiwanese Teas: Dong Ding, Gui Fei, Dong Fang Mei Ren ("Oriental Beauty", how about a cold brew of this instead of a New Year's champagne?), Hong Yu ("Red Jade").
- Japanese Teas: Goishicha, Houjicha.
- Aged Teas: Pressed White Tea, Shu Puerh, Sheng Puerh, Aged Taiwanese Oolongs, Liu Bao, and other Hei Cha.
This Christmas season, elevate your tea experience with enchanting festive teas, adding a dash of holiday magic to your tea rituals. Here's to a season filled with warmth, flavour, and the joy of sharing good tea with loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The WanderlusTEAm