United StatesOverview
Stash, founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1972, made its name with bagged herbal teas, and its calendar is a cheerful, unfussy one. The red outer box carries large gold STASH lettering, holiday ornaments, stars, mugs and a snowman, and inside is a green numbered panel with 24 doors, each with a mug illustration. Each door opens on one tea in a colourful individual packet, 24 different blends and no repeats.
Fifteen are caffeinated: Merry Berry Bliss, Toasted Vanilla Caramel, Cozy Cardamom Chai, Tropical Snowflake, Santa's Cinnamon Apple, Winter Espresso, Jasmine Blossom, Frosted Orange Cream, Fireside Spiced Apple, Holiday Island Escape, Candied Winter Strawberry, Orange Bergamot Bright, Sweet and Spice, Snowy Jasmine Citrus and Christmas Shortbread. Nine are caffeine-free: Lemon Wonder, Chocolate Orange Cheer, Strawberry Snowman Crisp, Orange Solstice, Red Velvet Treat, Lavender Calm, Blueberry Joy, Golden Caramel Rooibos and Chamomile Nights.
Stash calls it a limited edition and suggests it for secret Santas, hostesses and coworkers. It costs $20 at stashtea.com.
Taste & variety
Twenty-four different bags, with no repeats, which is the calendar's best card. Fifteen carry caffeine: Cozy Cardamom Chai, Toasted Vanilla Caramel, Christmas Shortbread, Fireside Spiced Apple, Winter Espresso, the two jasmine blends Jasmine Blossom and Snowy Jasmine Citrus, and Tropical Snowflake among them.
Nine are caffeine-free, among them Chocolate Orange Cheer, Red Velvet Treat, Golden Caramel Rooibos, Lavender Calm and Chamomile Nights. The names are unmistakably American Christmas: Santa's Cinnamon Apple, Strawberry Snowman Crisp. The leaning is sweet and spiced, with a few brighter cups such as Orange Bergamot Bright.
Anyone after plain black tea will find Harney's Tea Chest more to their taste.
Packaging & gift appeal
A red outer box with big gold STASH lettering, scattered ornaments, stars, mugs and a snowman. Open it and the inside is a green numbered panel of 24 doors, each marked with a mug illustration, with a red spine.
Behind each door is one tea in a colourful individual packet. It is not a showpiece, and it was never meant to be. At $20 it is a calendar for the counter next to the kettle, where it will be opened with one hand while the other holds a mug.
Stash calls it a limited edition, a gentle reminder to buy before it is gone.
What is in the box
24 individually packaged tea bags, one behind each numbered door, 15 caffeinated and nine caffeine-free, in a red and green box with gold STASH lettering.
Key features
- 24 different tea bags, one behind each numbered door
- 15 caffeinated and nine caffeine-free blends
- Green numbered panel of doors marked with mug illustrations
- Red box with gold STASH lettering, ornaments and a snowman
Our verdict
Twenty-four different tea bags behind numbered doors in a red and green box, from Cozy Cardamom Chai to Lavender Calm. Sweet, spiced and good-natured, with the secret Santa in mind. For a tea drinker who likes flavoured blends, from a company founded in Portland in 1972.
What we like
- 24 different bags with no repeats, from chai to chamomile
- Nine caffeine-free blends for the evening cups
- Playful Christmas names, from Santa's Cinnamon Apple to Strawberry Snowman Crisp
- A red box that stands out on a desk or kitchen counter
A few things to know
- Most blends are flavoured, so there are few plain teas
- Single bags with no extras, no infuser or loose tea
- Free shipping on the Stash shop only above a $50 order
Questions about Stash Tea Advent Calendar
What is in Stash Tea Advent Calendar?
24 doors. 24 individually packaged tea bags, one behind each numbered door, 15 caffeinated and nine caffeine-free, in a red and green box with gold STASH lettering..
