In the influx of gingerbread and peppermint flavored everything at this time of year (both of which I love!), one seasonal flavor tends to get underutilized. Simple sugar cookies are one of my favorite treats at this time of year, so I'm always delighted when a café or tea seller figures that into their seasonal blends. To that end, Chapters has added a decaf holiday blend to their listing: Sugar Cookie Gifts, a new take on rooibos for Christmas.
This new flavor takes its inspiration from the March family's cozy holiday in Little Women. Caffeine-free rooibos tea is paired with vanilla, honey, cinnamon, and rose petals to evoke Christmas cookies baking in the kitchen. And if you're trying to cut down on caffeine without cutting out cozy seasonal vibes, this could be a good alternative.
I've said this before, but it bears mentioning: I am very picky about rooibos. I'm one of that very small subset of people who tends to get a cough syrup taste off straight-up rooibos, so I put a lot of stock in good strong flavor to mask or otherwise temper that. So if you're like me and a little more sensitive to rooibos taste, you can trust me. We're the same, you and me.
Honey is the first scent to hit you when you open the bag, which is a pleasant surprise. I had a Bridgerton tea with a honey flavor profile, and I've been chasing that ever since. While it is the most forward scent, the honey blends into the overall flavor once this is steeped up, making for a very nice cookie flavor.
The medicine-y rooibos isn't fully masked, but it's definitely downplayed, to the point that the sugar cookie is first and foremost. I was surprised at the rose inclusion, since I'm a big fan of rose and generally immediately taste it anywhere it's used. But it sinks backward into the blend in a nice way, and I suspect that's a big part of what helps to even out the flavor.
I've only had this hot without milk or sugar, but I suspect this would make an excellent latte if steeped up strong enough. However you make it, I recommend serving it with Christmas cookies. It complements them perfectly.
Sugar Cookie Gifts is only available for a limited time. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!
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