A dessert tea built for after dinner
Decaf Cocoa Mint from Clipper Ship Tea Company layers decaffeinated black tea with fresh mint, chocolate, and a touch of vanilla cream. The catalog describes it as reminiscent of Andes Crème de Menthe after-dinner chocolate mints, and it is designed to be excellent with milk of choice and a touch of sweetener.
Because it is a decaf black tea, it fits an evening routine when you want the ritual of a warm cup without the caffeine load of a regular black tea. The tea is vegan and dairy-free, and the catalog notes it is an indulgent tea without all the calories.
How to brew Decaf Cocoa Mint
The catalog gives a clear starting point: steep 1 heaping teaspoon of tea per 8 oz boiling water at 205–212°F for 3–4 minutes. Use these as your baseline, then adjust to taste.
- Measure the leaf: Use 1 heaping teaspoon of Decaf Cocoa Mint for each 8 oz of water.
- Heat the water: Bring water to 205–212°F. A full boil is within this range; let it settle for a moment if your kettle runs hotter.
- Steep for 3–4 minutes: Start at 3 minutes for a lighter cup, or go to 4 minutes for more chocolate and mint depth. The catalog does not give a longer steeping instruction, so taste as you go rather than assuming more time is better.
- Finish with milk and sweetener if you like: The catalog says this dessert tea is excellent with milk of choice and a touch of sweetener. Add them after steeping so you can judge the base flavor first.
What the catalog confirms
- Decaf Cocoa Mint: Ingredients: decaffeinated black tea, chocolate, peppermint, cream vanilla flavor. Shows the flavor comes from chocolate, peppermint, and vanilla cream rather than added sugar or dairy.
Decaf Cocoa Mint - Decaf Cocoa Mint: Steep 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 oz boiling water at 205–212°F for 3–4 minutes. Gives you a reliable starting recipe without guessing.
- Decaf Cocoa Mint: Vegan and dairy-free. Useful if you are choosing a dessert tea to fit a plant-based routine.
What “decaf” means here
Clipper Ship’s decaf teas use the CO2 decaffeination process, which the catalog says uses naturally occurring CO2 under high pressure and temperature to extract caffeine without chemical solvents. The catalog also states that a very slight residue of caffeine will remain in the tea leaf, which is why these are called decaf teas rather than no-caffeine teas.
If you need a tea that is 100% naturally caffeine-free, the catalog points to herbal teas, rooibos, honeybush, and fruit tisanes instead. For an evening cup where a small caffeine residue is acceptable, Decaf Cocoa Mint is the intended fit.
Serving and size choices
Decaf Cocoa Mint comes in four sizes: Small 50g (1.8oz), Medium 150g (5.3oz), Large 300g (10.6oz), and XL 454g (16oz). If you are trying it for the first time, the Small size lets you test the flavor with your usual milk and sweetener before committing to a larger bag.
- Small 50g (1.8oz): A sensible trial size for a new dessert tea.
- Medium 150g (5.3oz): A middle ground if you already know you like chocolate-mint flavors.
- Large 300g (10.6oz): For regular evening cups.
- XL 454g (16oz): The largest format in the catalog, suited to a household that drinks decaf often.
An honest note on flavor and expectations
The catalog is upfront that decaffeination causes a slight change in the character and flavor of the tea, though it describes the end result as an uncompromising cup with no chemical overtones. In practice, expect the chocolate, peppermint, and vanilla cream notes to lead, with the black tea base playing a supporting role.
The catalog does not provide storage instructions or a shelf-life estimate for this tea, so follow the storage guidance on the packaging when it arrives. It also does not confirm allergen status beyond vegan and dairy-free, so check the ingredient list if you have specific sensitivities.
