7 Tea and Candy Pairings for a Sweet Treat

Candy usually gets eaten on autopilot. Handful, wrapper, next one. Put a cup of tea beside it and everything slows down. You taste the chocolate. You notice the orange.

That's the fun of tea and candy pairings. Here are seven, each with a reason it works and a tip for making it better.

7 tea and candy pairings that actually work

A chocolate bar + Gratitude Blend: chocolate-covered strawberries, no dipping required

Gratitude Blend is Earl Grey with juicy summer strawberries and a soft hint of vanilla. The bright bergamot wakes up the chocolate, and the strawberry does the rest.

Milk chocolate makes it feel like dessert. Dark chocolate makes it feel a little fancy. Either way, it's the easiest pairing here to love.

Try it: Let a square melt on your tongue first, then sip.

Peanut butter cups + Full Moon Chai: salty, sweet, and a little spicy

Peanut butter cups are rich and salty. Full Moon Chai brings cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, with a vanilla butternut note that leans right into the peanut butter.

Try it: Steep the chai extra strong and add a splash of milk. Candy is loud, and a weak cup gets lost.

M&Ms + Reading Nook Blend: one handful at a time

Reading Nook Blend is our original black tea, a best-seller since our very first batch in 2015. It's brisk and creamy with vanilla, plus rose, lavender, and chamomile. The vanilla goes beautifully with milk chocolate, and the flowers keep each handful from feeling heavy.

Try it: Eat them one at a time and sip in between. It's harder than it sounds.

Caramels + Fog Cutter: the cup that cuts through the butter

Caramel coats your tongue. You need a tea that can handle it. Fog Cutter is a malty Irish breakfast black tea with real lemon peel. The malt holds its ground, and the lemon works like a squeeze of brightness on something rich.

Salted caramels are the best match. The salt makes the tea taste even rounder.

Try it: Take a bite, then a sip, then wait a second. The lemon shows up late.

Peach gummies + Peaches 'n' Cream Oolong: a cozy cup with a juicy bite

When the candy is fruity, match it with fruit. Peaches 'n' Cream Oolong is woodsy oolong with ripe peach and vanilla. The gummies taste juicier. The tea tastes sweeter.

Try it: Brew it hot with a splash of cream, then set out a bowl of peach rings. It tastes like peaches and cream on a porch swing.

Malt balls + Builder's Blend: crunch meets a proper cuppa

Malt balls have a crisp chocolate shell and a toasty, malted center. Builder's Blend is our take on classic UK builder's tea: bold and malty, with smooth caramel notes that soften the brisk edge.

Malty candy, malty tea. It's a little like a malted milkshake, only hot.

Try it: Brew it strong and add a splash of milk, the traditional way. Crunch a malt ball, then sip.

Skittles + Candied Orange Green Tea: a fruity handful with a clean finish

Skittles are bright, chewy, and very sweet. Candied Orange Green Tea is a light green base with bright citrus. It's naturally sweet but never cloying. The orange echoes the bag, and the green tea resets your palate between handfuls.

Try it: Cold brew it overnight and pour it over ice. Pull the orange Skittles out and eat those first.

Four tricks for better tea and candy pairings

Once you've tried these, you can match almost anything.

• 🍬 Very sweet candy needs a tea with an edge: bold, citrusy, or floral.
• 🍫 Chocolate loves fruit, orange, and warm spice.
• 🧊 Fruity candy works with a hot cup or an iced one.
• 🫖 Brew a little stronger than usual. Candy is loud.

Want more ideas? Our dessert teas are built to go with sweets.

Turn it into a tasting night

Pour small cups of two or three teas. Put out a few candies. Let everyone mix and match and argue about the winner. It takes five minutes and makes a better evening than another scroll.

Hosting a bigger group? Our Halloween tea party guide has more treat ideas, and our tea party dessert pairing guide goes beyond candy. Peek at our sweets and treats for something to nibble alongside.

So raid the candy bowl. Put the kettle on first, and turn a quick snack into a small ritual. 💜

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