Advent of Tea

Long after the children have excitedly opened their own very old school, chocolate calendars and the day is long under way. I will, from today until the 24th, boil the kettle and open my own even more special calendar. A present from a dear friend who understands only too well the precious gift that is fifteen minutes to sit down and stop the busy. For it is an advent calendar of tea. To make things even more exciting it is in a language I have yet to master. Although put me in a German tea shop in the New Year and I'll happily show you around!

Day Fifteen: Rooibos Toffee Caramel

Rooibos Toffee Caramel

Hmm, I really want to like Rooibos tea but it is never my favourite. I find the taste too medicinal, like toothpaste as my nine year old says, so I was hoping that the addition of toffee caramel would add a special something. No snacks today, tummy bugs are having an encore...

Day Fourteen: Gruner Tee China Jasmine

Jasmine green tea, cinnamon pigs

I love the smell of the jasmine flower, that pungent floral aroma always makes me think of more tropical climes and days filled with sunshine. Not quite the same weather here today in Denmark so I sit with my eyes shut and savor the aroma. We made teeny tiny cinnamon spotted pigs today in homage to our much loved English breed pigs back home spotted with that cinnamon taste so entwined with Denmark. An International cuppa if ever there was one.

Day Thirteen: Holunderbluten Apfel Tee

Fruit tea with almonds and figs

A very fruity tea today with what tasted like big notes of elderflower and honey, correct me if I am wrong on that my kind German friend. Tea for breakfast with a handful of almonds and dried figs.

Day Twelve: Minzett

Mint tea and rye bread

Fresh, clean, pure tasting mint tea. Eaten with a date rye bread from Emmery's bakery.

Day Eleven: Schoko Sweet Chili

This tea was just amazing, warm, filling and impeccably spiced with a kick of chili. My new favourite and it went perfectly with a dark chocolate and banana bread I made to use up the glut of banana's in our fruit box.

Day Ten: Golden Balance

Golden Balance Tea

I noticed that in most of the pictures I have accompanied my daily cup of tea with a sweet treat. Not today! It felt right to match the green tea with a crisp dry Danish apple.


Day Nine: Chai

A deliciously spicy chai, perfect for the hearts I made out of the leftover dough from my nine years old gingerbread house math project.

Day Eight: Energy Tea

No picture today, I was obviously so revived by my energy tea that I got straight to work and forgot to take a picture!

Day Seven: Ingwer Orange-Spicy

Ginger tea with Spiced Christmas Cake

Snow is in the air and having not been too well I have spent my time recently cooking my way through Trie Hahnemann's, Scandinavian Christmas cook book. It has been the perfect remedy and I have thoroughly enjoyed testing out the recipes in the kitchen. Today I made her Spiced Christmas Cake and it went beautifully with the mellow Ginger tea.

Day Six: Nikolaus-Tee

Nikolaus-Tee with spotty cookies

It's all gone a bit dotty here today, the children made spotty cookies and once they were all in bed I sat down with my favourite tea so far. A very Christmassy Chocolatey cup of love.

Day Five: Rooibos Vanille-Sahne

Rooibos Vanille tea, Salted Caramel Chocolate

Unfortunately my two year old seems to have come down with the same virus I have been battling these past few weeks and we are ensconced at home. I feel as though I have been stuck in the house for weeks now and am really missing my friends. Then fate stepped in with a knock at the door and a package from a much missed dear friend in Switzerland containing the perfect pick me up to go with todays tea. Salted caramel chocolate.

Day Four: Cassis

Mmm a happy combination of homemade aeble skiver and a fresh fruity Blackcurrant tea. A nice way cultural way to round off an afternoon in which I completed the "Twelve Day's of (Danish) Christmas" for my column. "8 aeble skiver, Seven Danish Flags, Six marzipan pigs, Fiiiive Leeeego Men...."

Day Three: Winter Wichtel

Tea with Cardamon, natural yoghurt and muesli

There is much to finish this week before I can focus on Christmas and preparing the house. An article needs my attention but it is hard to feel inspired after a frenetic school run. I choose to sit for a while with this warming, comforting winter tea and a glass of natural yoghurt, muesli and seeds.

Day Two: Melisse

Melisse tea with cheese and Quince

First Advent Sunday is football day in our house so I choose to enjoy my tea in the calm before the storm. It is Melisse today, Melissen blades? with Rooibos, orange and honey. Accompanied by a taste of cheese and homemade quince jelly.

Day One: Alles Liebe und viel Gluck

Aromatic Fruit Tea

An aromatic fruit tea with apple, Hibiscus, Rooibos and lots of other ingredients Google translate will inform me about. The tea was accompanied by my just finished, homemade candied orange.