Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has set the festive season abuzz with the launch of a highly unconventional new beverage: Mince Pie Tea. The product, which promises the taste of a Christmas classic in a cup, has already generated significant online chatter and mixed reviews from early tasters.
A Festive Find Goes Viral
The discovery was highlighted by TikTok user Jamie Dear, known online as @thedeardiaries, who shared his initial reaction in a taste test video that amassed thousands of views. Jamie expressed his surprise, stating, "I've never seen anything quite like this before" before deciding to pick up the intriguing teabags.
The new product, officially named Mince Pie Tea Teabags, is part of Sainsbury's premium Taste the Difference range. Priced at an accessible £1.75 for a box of twenty 50g teabags, it is available for purchase both in-store and online.
The Taste Test Verdict
In his video review, Jamie Dear described the tea as a "festive blend of black tea, hibiscus, cassia and orange with buttery notes." After brewing a cup, he delivered his final verdict.
"It definitely has a Christmassy, warming flavour to it," he confirmed, noting that it "packs a little bit more spice" than other festive treats. However, he was less convinced about the core promise, adding, "I don't know if I'm massively getting mince pie from it, though... I would much rather have an actual mince pie." Despite this, he affirmed he would still enjoy the entire packet.
Public Reaction and Online Reviews
The online response to the new tea has been sharply divided. On social media, one enthusiastic commenter declared, "No I quite literally NEED that tea rn," a sentiment Jamie echoed in his reply. Conversely, another user expressed a common reservation, writing, "I'm a teaoholic 100% but sadly not a spiced tea."
This split in opinion is reflected on the Sainsbury's website, where the product has secured a solid 4 out of 5-star rating based on customer reviews. One five-star reviewer raved, "Amazing taste. Tastes just like mince pies. Will be buying again," while another praised its "warm and cosy" qualities.
However, not all shoppers were impressed. Critical reviews highlighted a disconnect between the name and the flavour, with one stating bluntly, "Didn’t taste anything like a mince pie. Couldn’t drink it," and another suggesting a chai tea was a closer match to the mince pie taste.
As the countdown to Christmas continues, Sainsbury's has undoubtedly succeeded in creating a talking point, proving that innovation in festive flavours can both delight and divide the British public in equal measure.
