While Chapters is my go-to brand for tea these days, I can't help but splurge when I go to London. I love coming back with new things (and old favorites I can only get either by going in person or paying a lot for shipping). Several friends got tea and coffee, but I kept these three for me.

Months ago, I promised a friend that I'd review these properly. And for some reason I never did. But scraping the bottom of the tin on one reminded me that it's high time to rate these—and to ensure that you can all try them, too.

One of the first places I go whenever I get into London is Covent Garden, and the first place I go there is Whittard. I know there are other shops, but the Whittard in Covent Garden is where I first discovered my love of rose Earl Grey, so I always stop in to try something and buy gifts. This time I picked up their English Rose black tea: a blend of Chinese, Indian, and Sri Lankan teas with whole rosebuds and rose petals.

When the reviews say this tea is "very rosy," they aren't kidding—and for someone like me who likes rose-flavored everything, that's a plus. It is naturally very sweet, so I wouldn't recommend any kind of sweetener. This is much better as an afternoon tea, since the strength of the rose (even for someone like me) can be a little cloying for morning. I have a feeling this would make an amazing milk tea... again, with no additional sweetener. If you don't like floral-flavored things, sit this one out; this is for people like me who've had the rose teas from other companies and didn't think they were enough.

In addition to fig preserves and cognac butter, I had to make sure to pick up some of the Christmas black tea from Fortnum & Mason's Christmas section (which was in full swing in late October). This blend smelled, at least to me, "like Christmas": orange, ginger, and cloves. And when brewed up, it delivers.

The orange and cloves are foremost in this tea, but it's not overpowering or unbalanced. The flavor is very warm and feels perfect for winter in general—and this arctic blast in particular. Does leave a bit of sediment when you brew a pot, thanks to all that clove, but that's easily strained out. This is absolutely best enjoyed hot, possibly with milk if that's your kind of thing, absolutely on a chilly winter morning.

Despite not being a royal watcher of any sort, I'll absolutely drink their tea. I'm fascinated by the variety of blends F&M has made for the Royal Family over the centuries. They do tend to be the best of the best, which I suppose makes sense when they're for royal occasions. Their 2013 Christening Blend for Prince George was a previous favorite, so I tried this Wedding Breakfast blend. Unsurprisingly, another favorite.

This blend was made in 2011 in honor of Prince William's proposal to Kate Middleton, and is a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas (Kenya apparently being where he proposed). This is for certain a "tea-flavored tea," with no floral or spice notes added. This is just the leaves standing on their own. And honestly, it's gorgeous. If you like just a good straightforward black tea with no fuss or flavorings, or if you've only had Lipton and wonder what's so great about unflavored black tea, try this. It's an absolute winner.