Candy Cane Lane by Celestial Seasonings

Seller's Description: "This delectable holiday blend starts with naturally decaffeinated green tea and adds unmistakable seasonal flavors like cool peppermint, creamy vanilla and a dash of cinnamon."
Ingredients: Peppermint, decaffeinated green tea, orange peel, natural vanilla and mint flavors with other natural flavors, cinnamon, milk thistle, blackberry leaves, roasted carob, roasted chicory and vanilla bean.
Website: Candy Cane Lane by Celestial Seasonings

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 32oz porcelain teapot
Measured dry: 4 sachets
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 2 tablespoons of raw sugar

I've been playing with a lot of somewhat finicky, caffeine-laden teas lately, so this lovely cup was a wonderful change. After a long day in the classroom, I made up a full pot. It's steaming, sweet simplicity lasted me through a couple seams, some writing, and then a bit of weaving. Add some cozy clothes and a quartet of twinkling candles in recycled glass and it was just a delightfully relaxing evening.

Now even though this is a decaffeinated green tea, it tastes like a peppermint herbal. I actually can't taste the green tea at all; There aren't any vegetal notes and it leaves my mouth feeling like I've just finished an after-dinner mint. It's a creamy, minty flavor that definitely lingers.

I think I'm going to need to do this again!

Prominent Notes: Peppermint

Aftertaste: Creamy mint
Overall: A straightforward cup for a lazy evening

Swiss Mountain Black Tea by Della Terra Teas

Seller Description: "If you are a fan of minty chocolate, especially when combined together in a candy then this tea is for you.  With real peppermint and chocolate pieces along with mint brittle you will be left with a minty, refreshing and chocolaty treat in your cup.  A true breath, errr, drink of fresh air... I mean tea!"

Ingredients: Black tea, chocolate bits, peppermint
Website: Swiss Mountian Black Tea by Della Terra Teas
Sample source: Facebook Giveaway

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

This tea came my way via one of Della Terra's Facebook giveaways, with some of their Almond Biscotti green tea. Oddly enough, this is the second time they've sent me tea this way - I think that means more people need to "like" them so there's more of a pool!

Now when I make hot chocolate, I tend to stir up more of a thick soup than the lightly accented drink you'd get by following the directions. As such, I've never really gotten into chocolate teas because I always find myself craving more chocolate and less tea. I met with that same quandary this time as well.

It's a sweet, refreshing tea that reminds me strongly of thin mints. The slight bite of dark chocolate mixed with the soothing refreshment of the peppermint. If I make this again, I will definitely throw another teaspoon of sugar and couple extra chocolate chips in, but I know several friends who would definitely enjoy this as is!

Prominent Notes: Chocolate and peppermint
Aftertaste: Black tea
Overall: I'm going to go make some hot chocolate

Organic Candy Cane by Simpson & Vail

This evening's tea is a cheerful yet soothing peppermint, as we move on to the Organic Candy Cane Rooibos Herbal Tisane by Simpson & Vail.

Seller Description: "It's fabulous hot or iced (so yes you can enjoy it in the summer too!) and with no added sugar, this calorie free blend is sure to please. The aroma of the dry leaf is amazing - a definite mood booster - with its euphoric aroma of minty sweetness. When brewed, this herbal blend has a taste that is tingly, refreshing, and harkens me back to my childhood - or rather just last December….. The taste lingers delicately and deliciously on the tongue. A cup of this tea brings joy to our day and we hope it does the same for you!"
Ingredients: Organic green Rooibos, natural candy cane flavor, organic stevia, and red and white organic cornflower petals.
Website: Organic Candy Cane Rooibos Herbal Tisane by Simpson & Vail

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 2-1/4 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

Most of the holiday teas I've encountered this season have been caffeinated, so I was delighted to discover this cheerful peppermint herbal - all the better to sip during a long evening of grading!

After I opened the sample envelope, my senses cleared and I could close my eyes and imagine stepping into a candy cane forest. The herbal and rooibos elements are beautifully blended, and the rooibos (which can overcome some blends) had been perfectly balanced and restrained. It supports the flavors gorgeously but stays behind the curtain.

Mei-Mei timing the steep
from atop the tea chest.

I can't believe it, but it really is like licking a candy cane! Each sip brings a wave of peppermint, which quickly settles back and lets a creamy cool minty calm, which just lasts and lasts, slide in its wake. My tongue is still tingling even a full minute after my last drink. I can pick out very, very slight hints of the cornflower, but like the rooibos it is more of a stagehand, helping backstage to bring the experience to life. Now, My husband loves peppermint teas, but we rarely keep them on hand because so many of them can be overwhelming, and I hadn't found one that I could just sit back and enjoy... until now.

Prominent Notes: Peppermint with very slight hints of cornflower

Aftertaste: Creamy, lasting minty freshness
Overall: I love it!

Santa's Secret by DAVIDsTEA

Seller Description: "Ever wonder how Santa manages to deliver all those presents in just one night? Well here’s the hush-hush formula. He uses a special combination of Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves and spices – all sprinkled with real little candy canes. It’s both energizing and remarkably soothing. All Santa needs is one cup and his motto changes from “ho ho ho” to “go go go”.

Ingredients: Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves, candy cane sprinkles, natural and artificial flavoring.
Website: Santa's Secret by DAVIDsTEA

Sample source: Purchased

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 4 teaspoons of raw sugar

As soon as I opened the tin, one thought jumped to the forefront of my mind: This smells like the illegitimate love child of a candy cane and a thin mint. The blend lines up with the posted ingredients, all the way down to the teeny tiny (and rather adorable) candy canes hiding among the leaves.

Once steeped, the level of peppermint jumped from the sweet nip of a thin mint to the bite of a peppermint patty. And like the cream inside a patty, this tea is surprisingly thick and somewhat syrupy. I can barely pick out the black tea base at all.

While the tea was enjoyable, I did have some issues with the packaging. I only needed a little bit for this project, so instead of shelling out for a much larger package (especially when I don't know if I'll like it or not) I went for the cute little stackable tin, which I figured I could easily reuse once I was done with the tea.

What I hadn't figured on was how loose and unreliable the lid would be. I've run into this problem before, with their standard tins. I actually lost half a tin's worth of tea because it fell open. I didn't think they'd use the same (defective) format for this small tin, but alas.

But back to the tea. This is definitely a dessert tea, because it tastes and feels so much like you're actually drinking candy. While this might be an occasional treat, it is way too rich to be anything more frequent than that.

Prominent Notes: Peppermint and a hint of black tea

Aftertaste: Peppermint and chocolate
Overall: A little over-the top sweet, but good for an occasional treat