Don’t shoot me…
But this is my first tasting note of Santa’s Secret here on Steepster. At least in regard to the drink; I’ve reviewed the infused chocolate bar.
HOWEVER! It’s not my first time ever drinking it – I first tried it three(ish) years ago when I was first getting into tea, and I didn’t like it then. Every year since I’ve had it in some way or another; sample cups of it in stores when it’s been a featured TOTD or infused into different chocolate treats. Last year it was as a chocolate bar, which was actually pretty good, and this year I tried it as one of the tea infused Truffles in the Truffle Tower and that was really good. This year I decided it was finally time I commit to drinking a full mug of it though…
Bottom line: I just don’t understand the hype surrounding this tea.
I mean, to be completely fair I don’t think it tastes bad at all – but the flavours read as really flat and bland to me compared to a lot of other mint/vanilla teas I’ve tried. It’s just not really nailing it in either area: the vanilla isn’t super creamy or rich – in fact, what it reminds me of, is the vanilla frosting used on predecorated grocery store/bakery cakes. Not bad; but it’s no Betty Crocker or even homemade icing. The mint doesn’t leave that refreshing menthol taste on your tongue and isn’t overly refreshing. It’s a little like the difference between fresh mint leaves, and prepackaged, hydrated mint leaves you’d get in the spice aisle of your grocery store. I like Candy Cane Crush better.
Just wish I understood the demand for this one a little better…
Friendly reminder that I’m not currently numerically rating DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently seasonally employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
i loved this when i first started drinking tea…but that lasted about 50g worth and then i was over it. agree that there are better mint, vanilla teas out there.