Fortnum & Mason Unboxing

Five years ago, my sister and I had the pleasure to enjoy afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason in London.  As an afternoon tea lover, this was such a magical experience.  I loved every minute of it!  So, when I saw this year’s Christmas tea tin from the well-known moniker, I knew I had to try it.  I decided to order it directly from the UK rather than a local shop where it was selling for almost twice the price.  The money I saved by purchasing it directly from Fortnum & Mason paid for most of the shipping cost.  Plus, I was able to purchase more items without any additional shipping fees.

I was so excited to see the Fortum & Mason box at my front door.  Delivery was very quick, almost one week from the UK. However, I did order mid-November, before the holiday rush.

I was greeted with a little note inside this bright orange envelope.

These are a couple teas I bought as Christmas gifts.  The bag contains Elderflower, Strawberry, and Rose sachets.

This is another gift I thought would be nice when you don’t have time to brew a nice pot of loose tea.

My daughter will enjoy this tea.  This cozy tea is blended with star anise, licorice, coconut, and a whisper of vanilla.

While my father-in-law grew up eating Turkish Delight in Scotland, I only recently tried it for the first time while visiting a shop in Southern California.  It was so delicious!  This will make a great gift for my husband.  Hopefully, he will be willing to share with the rest of the family.  I already have my mind set on trying the one with honey and apricot!

The first time I had pates de fruits was in Paris.  It was the most amazing confection as the fruit flavors just burst in my mouth.  I bought this as a gift for our family to share.  The tin is so pretty, too!

One of my best friends who loves chestnuts told me marrons glacés is one of her favorite indulgences.  This will be a special Christmas gift for her.  I love how it’s packaged in this wooden box.

Looking over everything I purchased from Fortnum & Mason, including the tea towel, I realized I didn’t buy myself any everyday tea or biscuits. My mind was so set on the Christmas tea and gifts for friends and family. I guess this means I may need to place another order in the very near future!

Now, the moment of truth.  I finally tried the Christmas tea and I served it at my holiday cookie exchange party. Everyone loved the smell and taste.

You can see the beautiful tea leaves, cocoa nibs, clementine, and spices.  And the smell....it is so amazing.  When I add milk and sugar to it (which isn’t for everyone), it reminds me of the holiday season in a cup.  I think the flavor resembles hot spiced cider. 

So, was spending a little more money and buying directly from Fortnum & Mason worth it?  Absolutely! Since there isn’t a Fortnum & Mason here in the United States, the variety of items is very limited, and the prices are a lot higher. However, it is important to note there are some products that are not allowed to be shipped to the States, which was rather disappointing. These include perishable goods and some specialty items unique to the European market. And although Fortnum & Mason is most well-known for their tea and food items, there are many other departments to visit in their store and on their website including gifts for him, her, babies, pets, anniversaries and engagements. I’m already making a mental note about what I will order next!