Sri LankaOverview
Dilmah was named for founder Merrill J. Fernando's sons, Dilhan and Malik, and built on the idea of packing Ceylon tea at its origin instead of selling it in bulk to be blended abroad. The calendar reflects that: Premium Ceylon Black, Ceylon Gold, English Breakfast and Ceylon Supreme anchor the pure end, with a Pu-Erh Black and a Traditional Oolong.
Sixteen flavoured blacks follow, among them Blackcurrant, Caramel, Earl Grey, Lychee, Passionfruit, Pomegranate & Honeysuckle and Vanilla, and Pure, Jasmine and Sencha greens complete the set. The net weight is 46 g, packed in a Christmas-themed box.
Dilmah suggests 95°C for black and 80°C for green teas.
Taste & variety
The pure end is strong: Premium Ceylon Black, Ceylon Gold, English Breakfast and Ceylon Supreme, with a Pu-Erh Black and a Traditional Oolong for the curious. Then comes the long flavoured run: Blackcurrant, Blueberry & Vanilla, Caramel, Earl Grey, Ginger & Honey, Lemon, Lemon & Lime, Lychee, Mango & Strawberry, Passionfruit, Pomegranate & Honeysuckle, Peach, Pear & Orange, Raspberry, Strawberry and Vanilla.
Pure, Jasmine and Sencha greens round it off. Flavoured blacks clearly outnumber the single-origin cups, which will disappoint a purist and delight anyone who wants December to taste of fruit.
Packaging & gift appeal
Dilmah's page calls it a Christmas-themed box that works as a ready-to-give gift, with each bag individually wrapped so it keeps its flavour until opened. The net weight is 46 g, lighter than Fortnum & Mason's Tea Lovers box at 55 g and far lighter than Vahdam's loose leaf set at about 200 g. Nothing here is about spectacle.
It does the job without fuss and relies on the name on the lid. Dilmah also publishes its own sustainability figures, including more than 421,000 kg of plastic eliminated.
What is in the box
24 individually wrapped tea bags (46 g net) in a Christmas-themed gift box, covering four Ceylon blacks, English Breakfast, a Pu-Erh Black, a Traditional Oolong, a run of flavoured black teas and Pure, Jasmine and Sencha greens.
Key features
- 24 individually wrapped tea bags
- Ceylon black, flavoured black, oolong and green teas
- Includes English Breakfast and Pu-Erh Black
- From a Sri Lankan family tea house that packs at origin
Our verdict
The pedigree is excellent: a family tea house that insisted on packing Ceylon at its source. The box is modest and the flavoured teas take up more of the month than purists would like.
Best for a black tea drinker who likes fruit and honey notes, less so for someone who wants pure estate cups.
What we like
- Family-run Sri Lankan tea house that packs Ceylon tea at origin
- Broad mix of black, flavoured and green teas
- Sustainability figures published by the brand
A few things to know
- Flavoured teas outnumber the pure Ceylon cups
- Mostly black tea, with three greens and one oolong
Questions about Dilmah Tea Advent Calendar
What is in Dilmah Tea Advent Calendar?
24 doors. 24 individually wrapped tea bags (46 g net) in a Christmas-themed gift box, covering four Ceylon blacks, English Breakfast, a Pu-Erh Black, a Traditional Oolong, a run of flavoured black teas and Pure, Jasmine and Sencha greens..
