This year’s advent calendar is loose leaf tea from Friday Tea, who appear to specialize in themed fandom blends inspired by everything from Journey to the West to Gideon the Ninth.

Day 1 is “Gleam’s Glow” for Catherynne M. Valente’s Fairyland series, which I have not read. This lightly sweetened blend contains rooibos, roasted green tea, ginger, and orange peel. Steeping in 500 ml of 185°F water for four and a half minutes produces a beautiful amber brew. The roasty hōjicha dominates so I can’t pick out the notes in rooibos that I normally dislike. If the orange and ginger are doing anything it’s subtle, but it’s very enjoyable overall.