I feel like we’ve entered the real countdown to Christmas, with a week to go there’s still more than enough time to nail that perfect present, but we don’t have the luxury of pondering our purchasing. Happily, Edinburgh’s favourite tea emporium, Eteaket have come to our rescue with a variety of festive gifting ideas which put Santa to shame this Christmas.
In a stroke of genius, Eteaket have partnered up with the fabulous Scottish Ballet to produce a trio of teas inspired by Christmas favourite, The Nutcracker. Obviously the past two years have wreaked havoc on the performing arts, so Eteaket will donate 10% of sales to help support the Ballet Company – a fantastic initiative, which will help ensure many more magical Christmas performances of the much-loved classic!
Before I even get started on this year’s teas, I should probably mention how much I love their seasonal blends. I think it was the pumpkin spice which kicked everything off, but Erica, the brains behind Eteaket really knows what she’s up to. The loose blends mix teas with dried fruitpeel, flower petals and all sorts of niceties to create the most perfect cup of tea, and this year’s offerings are no different. I kicked things off with The Nutcracker – black tea which blends cinnamon, cocoa, and sunflower petals. I drink all teas black, and this is absolutely divine – all warm and toasty notes which are pitch perfect for cold winter mornings.
The Waltz of the Flowers has become my go-to for busy afternoons. Working from home means that I’m looking at computer screens for hours at a time. Whilst I’ve invested in blue light glasses, it’s still nice to take a break and enjoy 15 minutes to myself, and that’s where the Waltz of the Flowers blend comes in. An infusion which includes hibiscus, chamomile and rose with a sprinkling of sweet apple & blackcurrant pieces, I’m obsessed with how chunky this loose leaf blend is, and it’s an absolutely perfect treat when I want to enjoy some me-time. Thanks to the fruity flavours, it’s absolutely delicious enjoyed cold – I brew some in the evening, and then pop it in the fridge. It means that when I’m thirsty, and want something different from water, I’ve got a real treat waiting for me.
The Sugar Plum Fair tea is another must-try from the trio. Surprisingly fruity, it mixes green tea with fruit, hibiscus and orange peel for a flavour which is truly inspired by the season. Another delightfully chunky blend, I love seeing the ribbons of dried orange peel and cranberries as it steeps. With flavour notes inspired by stewing plums, it’s another absolute winner, with a sweet kick (but no sugar) for when you need a little pick-me-up.
If you’re not the biggest tea drinker (or perhaps you need a last minute Secret Santa gift), I’m absolutely obsessed with Eteaket’s festive tea crackers. All beautifully packaged, the crackers contain 5 2.5g sachets of Eteaket’s favourite blends, meaning you’re giving the gift of 5 (rather fabulous) tea breaks.
As if all the teas weren’t festive enough, Eteaket also have this absolutely adorable Santa hat Infuser. Enough for a single cup, this has been working overtime as I’ve been sampling all the delicious goodies. Made of stainless steel and silicon, it just slides onto the side of your cup or mug, gently infusing the hot water. It fits a teaspoon of your favourite blend, and is an adorable (and eco-friendly) way to make sure you get the best from your blends.
Eteaket have a fabulous range of Christmas gift ideas which are available online and in-store. You can find out more here.
