When a tea has the perfect name, it just tastes better. I swear. Silent Night is always a soft, sweet and almost angelic Christmas hymn, just like this tea from Whittard of Chelsea.
I received this cute mini caddy in a Christmas gift box years ago, but it’s still within the use-by date and thanks to my verging-on-OCD tea storage system it still smells and tastes fresh.
If you’re looking for a Christmas tea that doesn’t give you a swift kick with an abundance of spices and heavy black tea richness, this one is practically perfect.
Here’s my in-depth review of Whittard Silent Night tea with a few tips on how to brew it and where to buy it.
Whittard Silent Night at a Glance
- Blend: Green tea with chocolate, sugar, and spices
- Flavour: Milky green tea with subtle sweetness and a soothing scent
Full Review - Whittard Christmas Green Tea
- Type: Loose leaf (mini caddy)
- Tea: Green tea
- Additives: Cinnamon, sugar, white chocolate stars, cocoa beans, orange peel, rose petals, cloves
- Flavour Notes: Milky, green tea, sweet, mellow
- Aroma: White chocolate, mixed spices, warm hay, steamed greens
- Milk or Lemon: Neither
- Where to Buy: Whittard Official Website
If I haven’t already won you over with my description, the first whiff of aroma will do it. White chocolate swirls gently with notes of spices and warm hay green tea. There’s nothing bitter or strong about the aroma. You can safely take in a deep breath and not choke on heavy spices or floral perfumes like many Christmas-themed teas.
It brews into a murky golden colour. And yes, there will be a slight oily film at the top. This is simply from the adorable white chocolate stars in the tea blend. They don’t ruin the flavour or texture… in fact, they almost make it silky on your tongue!
The flavour is equally blissful but not as sweet or spiced as the aroma would have you believe. It’s quite mellow and gentle on your tongue. Notes of milk, sweetness and green tea coat your mouth quickly and linger into a long but very subtle aftertaste.
How to Brew Whittard Silent Night Green Tea
I brew this tea at 80°C for 2 minutes. No exceptions. The beauty of this tea is the mellowness, so over brewing it or using boiling water will only ruin it with bitter notes.
Whittard has the instructions pretty spot on. They recommend 80°C, 1 teaspoon of tea and a brew time of 2 to 3 minutes.
Consumed on its own, this tea is sweet and simple. An ideal tea for a chilly Christmassy afternoon. However, I do recommend having it with dessert too. Eating a sugary, sweet food alongside this tea makes the green tea pop in contrast and you’re left with deeper, greener notes as the milky white chocolate fades to the background. It’s utterly refreshing
Why Whittard Christmas Teas?
There is always a trio of teas from Whittard of Chelsea. Silent Night is a firm favourite that I’ve seen come back over the past few years every Christmas, so I hope you have the chance to grab a mini caddy when the next Christmas season pops around.
Summary
I do love this tea but when it comes to the score, it lets me down a little. I’m not a huge fan of the added sugar – I like to drink my teas as healthy alternatives to snacking. I’m also disappointed that it’s not available all year round and the tea leaf is quite uneven in size and shape. If these issues were fixed, we’d be onto a true masterpiece. For now, check if Whittard has it back in stock to order yours!
Tea Recommendation
For something equally festive but without the caffeine, read my review of Adagio Rooibos Nutcracker next. You’ll love the subtle nuttiness with the honeyed Christmas tones. Delish.