Tea Blog

Traditions have to start somewhere, and so it is with things like the twelve teas of Christmas. Now, the word “tea” can refer both to the beverage and to a meal (ranging from a few treats to several courses). With that in mind, I present my take on a well-established Christmas tradition — that almost nerve-racking song about the twelve days of Christmas.

For the first tea of Christmas
My hostess served to me
A pear flavored lovely green tea!

At the second tea of Christmas
My hostess served to me
Strong dark Assam
That was good after pear flavored tea.

Then, the third tea of Christmas
Was such a lovely tea
Three giant cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And some more of the peary green tea.

Next the fourth tea of Christmas
Steeped up fine as could be
Taiwanese oolongs
Three giant cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And some cheery hot peary green tea.

For the fifth tea of Christmas
My hostess poured with glee
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three iced cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And still more of the peary green tea.

For the sixth tea of Christmas
A feast for all to see
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three tiered cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And another pot of peary green tea.

For the seventh tea of Christmas
All things were sparkle-ee
Seven silver teapots
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three huge cakes
Malty strong Assam
And another cuppa peary green tea.

For the eighth tea of Christmas
We all got neighborly
Eight pots of jasmine
Seven shiny teapots
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three grand cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And a fresh pot of pear flavored tea.

For the ninth tea of Christmas
The tea flowed happily
Nine urns of Keemun
Eight lovely jasmines
Seven sterling teapots
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three tall cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And a quick sip of peary green tea.

For the tenth tea of Christmas
A big festivity!
Ten teas a-blooming
Nine urns of Keemun
Eight fragrant jasmines
Seven silver teapots
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three vast cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And drop or two of pear green tea.

For the eleventh tea of Christmas
We went on a tea spree
Eleven shopping bags full
Ten teas a-blooming
Nine urns of Keemun
Eight floral jasmines
Seven silver teapots
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three great cakes
Strong and dark Assam
And the last drop of peary green tea.

For the twelfth tea of Christmas
The tea was flowing free!
Twelve drum-sized bowls full!
Eleven shopping bags full
Ten teas a-blooming
Nine urns of Keemun
Eight fragrant jasmines
Seven silver teapots
Six figgy puddings
Gold Yunnan tea!
Taiwanese oolongs
Three more cakes
Strong and dark Assam
But no more of that peary green tea.

May you all have some great teas during the days and weeks ahead!

Don’t miss my tea slant on another Christmas classic:
Twas the Night Before Tea-mas

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