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drank Candy Cane Crush by DAVIDsTEA
15678 tasting notes

#ProjectTeaWall

You know, trying ALL the teas on the wall doesn’t get easier when we keep releasing new ones; but such is the nature of DAVIDsTEA. Plus, I did think it was cool we created a limited edition December TOTM this year since typically there just isn’t a December one. I tried this one the day it launched; I’m just only now finding the time to write about it. Obviously I knew it was coming out sooner than that; and I got a chance the smell the dry leaf a little bit sooner than the first official launch day so I was already practically drooling over the tin when I got the chance to sip away at it on shift…

Personally, I’m not the world’s biggest fan of Santa’s Secret. I can’t really tell you why ‘cause I don’t know myself – but it just doesn’t excite me the way it excites others. This is a game changer though because I do really enjoy white chocolate and White Chocolate Frost is one of my all time favourite Winter/Holiday teas that DT has ever released, so I was hoping the flavour would be comparable.

Here are the notes I took on shift the day I tried it:

- Sweet, creamy and minty
- Sort of vanilla undertones?
- Tastes a lot like it smells but lighter on the mint
- Definitely an oilier/thicker mouthfeel w. chocolate goo
- Interesting, and enjoyable overall but I feel like it’s not very unique
- Doesn’t trump WCF; but is a satisfying enough option instead of it

For the record, I do like it better than Santa’s Secret as well.

I’ve since had the chance to try it a few more times, and what I’ve found is that it works best for me when it’s made in a gravity steeper rather than the sachets we use in store or a basket filter; I think that’s cause the white chocolate gets dispersed into the liquor a little bit better? I also enjoy it a lot with milk but shamefully I haven’t tried it as a latte yet even though it’s crazy popular that way. And, longer steeping times are generally ok ‘cause it lets the chocolate melt down better, and there’s so much added stuff in this blend that it wont get bitter if you tack on an extra minute or two.

I just wish it tasted a little bit more in line with the intense smell. That smell is just drool worthy; but the steeped tea is only a fraction as potent. If we could capture the smell in candle form I’d buy like a dozen of them, though!

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.
3 comments
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Shmiracles
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i freakin LUV santa’s secret so now i’m super pumped to drink this one. i think i have a sample…actually i don’t. i just went to go check. (but i did count 5 bags of santa’s secret still left.) guess i’ll HAVE to go shopping on the DT website.
a girl’s gotta do what a gurl’s gotta do.

VariaTEA
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I made this as a smoothie and the mint was intense. I think maybe its all just luck of the draw for what ends up in the cup because the mint when I had it definitely matched the scent.

Michelle
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I’m really disappointed that DT isn’t making any tea scented candles this year… :(

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Shmiracles
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i freakin LUV santa’s secret so now i’m super pumped to drink this one. i think i have a sample…actually i don’t. i just went to go check. (but i did count 5 bags of santa’s secret still left.) guess i’ll HAVE to go shopping on the DT website.
a girl’s gotta do what a gurl’s gotta do.

VariaTEA
Delete

I made this as a smoothie and the mint was intense. I think maybe its all just luck of the draw for what ends up in the cup because the mint when I had it definitely matched the scent.

Michelle
Delete

I’m really disappointed that DT isn’t making any tea scented candles this year… :(

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Bio

Hello! My name is Kelly, though many people in the tea community call me Ros or Roswell.

I am a mid-twenties tea addict, blogger, and all around nerd. I grew up in the Prairies, but a few years ago I relocated to Quebec to pursue a career with DAVIDsTEA in the tea industry! I’m still working on getting my French language skills down…

My first introduction to tea, in any form outside of instant and bottled iced tea, was about seven years ago when I happened to stumble upon DAVIDsTEA while looking for a birthday present for a friend! I tried their Birthday Cake rooibos blend, and I’ve been hooked on tea ever since! In those seven years; I was introduced to the online tea community, expanded my interest in flavoured teas to include a deep love and appreciation for straight teas and traditional brewing methods, got a tea themed tattoo, started reviewing teas, amassed a sizable tea and teaware collection, became a TAC certified Tea Sommelier, & even came full circle by beginning a career in the tea industry with DAVIDsTEA!

I consider myself a Jack of all Teas, and strive to have a knowledge and appreciation of all tea types, formats, and styles of drinking. I don’t like to feel boxed in to just being a “flavoured tea” or “straight tea” drinker – my expectations may vary depending on the type of tea or how it’s been processed/prepared but if it’s good tea, it’s good tea no matter how it’s been made!

You name it, I probably drink it- and I’ll absolutely try anything at least once.

My default method of preparation is hot, Western style, and straight – but I’m not opposed to additions if I’m in the right mood. If I ever add something to a tea or use a different method of preparation I will ALWAYS call it out in the tasting note though.

I like to listen to music when drinking tea, especially when I’m brewing a large pot at a time or steeping Gongfu. Often I curate very intentional tea and music pairings, and sometimes I share them here in my tasting reviews. Music is something that I find can deeply affect the experience of having tea.

I’m also one half of the “tea and fandom” podcast GeekSteep where, weekly, we discuss newly explored fandoms over tea as well as try to figure out the perfect tea to pair with each fandom. You can find us on Spotify and Apple & Google podcasts.

Favourite flavour notes/ingredients: Pear, lychee, cranberry, cream, melon, pineapple, malt, roasty, petrichor, sweet potato, heady florals like rose, hazelnut or walnut, sesame, honey (in moderation), and very woody shou.

Least favourite flavour notes/ingredients:
Lemongrass, ginger, strongly spiced profiles (and most Chai in general), mushrooms, seaweed, chamomile, stevia, saltiness or anything that reminds me too much of meat that isn’t supposed to taste like meat…

Currently exploring/obsessed with: Sheng from Yiwu, Yancha (Qilan in particular), anything with a strong sweet potato note. Also, I need to try ALL the root beer teas! Searching for a really good caramel flavoured blend, ideally with a black tea base.

Please contact me at the instagram account listed below if you would like me to review your teas.

Currently I’m employed in the tea department of the DAVIDsTEA head office. While I’m still sharing my own personal thoughts on new & existing DAVIDsTEA blends, I am no longer numerically rating them due to the obvious conflict of interest. Any comments expressed are a reflection of my own thoughts and opinions, and do not reflect the thoughts and opinions of the company. Any DAVIDsTEA blends you currently see with a numeric score were reviewed prior to my being hired there and have not been adjusted since becoming a DAVIDsTEA employee.

Location

Montreal, QC, CA

Website

https://www.instagram.com/ros...

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