Candy is king on Halloween, but even the sweetest treats can use a partner in crime. Tea adds the twist you didn’t know you needed, balancing the sweetness, highlighting hidden flavors, and turning each bite into a mini adventure. From classic chocolate bars to tangy fruit chews, we’ve paired popular candies with Harney & Sons teas to make ‘inspecting’ your kids’ Halloween haul a required taste test.
White Tea Pairings
These blends are delicate, subtle, and lightly sweet, making them a perfect match for mellow or understated candies. Their gentle flavors won’t compete with chocolate or fruit; instead, they highlight the nuanced notes in each bite, allowing the treats to take center stage.
- Winter White Earl Grey and Kit Kat – The light white tea base won’t compete with the crispness of the wafer, and the bergamot’s citrusy brightness refreshes the palate between bites.
- Snow White and Candy Corn – A light white tea, like Snow White, offers subtle flavors that won’t overshadow the mellow sweetness of candy corn. Love it or hate it, candy corn is synonymous with the Halloween season. We recommend adding your favorite nut for a sweet and salty combination.
- French Macaron and Crunch Bar – A delicious blend of vanilla, caramel, almond, and lavender, this tea mirrors and enhances the profile of the Crunch Bar’s milk chocolate and crispy rice center.
- Royal Wedding and 3 Musketeers – The subtle almond and vanilla notes in Royal Wedding Tea pair beautifully with the airy chocolate nougat, enhancing the candy’s sweetness with a soft, fragrant lift.
Green Tea and Matcha Pairings
With its naturally light and vibrant character, the grassy notes of green tea and matcha make them ideal companions for candy, as their subtle astringency helps balance the sweetness. When paired with very sweet or sour candies, these teas refresh your palate between bites.
- Organic Bangkok and Sour Patch Kids – The subtle sweetness and creaminess of coconut in this green tea bring balance to the sour and sweet extremes of Sour Patch Kids.
- Japanese Sencha and Sweet Tarts – The bright astringency of Japanese Sencha refreshes the palate, balancing the intense sweet and sour punch of Sweet Tarts. Its vegetal notes linger just long enough to cleanse your taste buds, making every bite feel as lively as the first.
- Island Dreams and Gummy Bears – The bright, fruity flavors of gummy bears, especially the citrus and berry varieties, harmonize with the pineapple and coconut notes in this blend. The tea’s vibrant character tempers the candy’s sweetness, letting both flavors shine in harmony.
- Very Berry Matcha and Skittles – Skittles are intensely fruity and sweet, and the berry-forward flavors in Very Berry Matcha mirror those fruity notes while adding a slightly grassy undertone from the matcha. This pairing gives a playful, fruity lift without masking the vibrant Skittles flavors.
- Roasted Buckwheat (Soba) Matcha and PayDay – The nutty, roasted notes in this tea echo the peanut flavor, while its earthy sweetness balances the caramel, creating a harmonious pairing that highlights every layer of the candy’s rich, salty-sweet profile.
Jasmine Tea Pairings
Jasmine and other floral teas are delicate yet fragrant, making them an ideal companion for light, fruity, and flavorful sweets. Their subtle floral notes enhance the fruitiness without overpowering it, creating a gentle and sophisticated flavor pairing that adds depth to each bite.
- Dragon Pearl Jasmine and Sour Gummy Worms – The tart, tangy punch of sour gummy worms calls for a light, floral tea that complements their vibrant flavor while providing balance. The gentle floral flavors soften the candy’s sour edge and refresh the palate.
- Jasmine Tea and Tootsie Rolls – Equally chewy as gummy worms, Tootsie Rolls are balanced by the tea’s light, refreshing character. This blend enhances the distinct yet simple chocolate flavor without overpowering it.
Oolong Tea Pairings
Oolongs sit beautifully in the middle of the tea spectrum, characterized by moderate oxidation that lends them both body and nuanced floral or fruity notes. They’re a great choice for midweight candies that aren’t too light or too rich, offering complexity that complements cookies, caramel chews, or subtly flavored chocolates.
- Milky Oolong and Milky Way – Aside from the perfect name pairing, the creamy, milk-like aroma and flavor of Milk Oolong enhance the caramel and nougat flavors in Milky Way, creating a smooth and comforting combination.
- True Blue Oolong and Jolly Ranchers – The bold fruit flavors of Jolly Ranchers, particularly apple, cherry, and berry, accentuate the blueberry and lemon notes in True Blue Oolong. The tea’s floral and subtly creamy undertones temper the candy’s intensity, creating a lively and balanced tasting experience.
- Pomegranate Oolong and Smarties – The tart, juicy flavor of the pomegranate in the oolong enhances the candy’s bright fruit notes without overwhelming its subtle sweetness. The smooth oolong base provides balance, turning each bite and sip into a refreshing, playful experience.
Black Tea Pairings
Black teas provide a sturdy base and a crisp, full-bodied flavor, making them ideal companions for richer, heavier candies. Nuts, caramel, and chocolate all benefit from the balancing strength of a bold black tea. The depth and warmth of black tea can tame sweetness while bringing out the richness of the candy, creating a match made in heaven.
- Paris and Regular M&Ms – The malty black tea base of Paris, infused with hints of caramel and vanilla, enhances the sweet, chocolatey taste of classic M&Ms. Its smooth, rich notes balance the candy’s sugar while adding a subtle warmth that’s equally comforting as it is delicious.
- Salted Caramel and Peanut M&Ms – The rich, nutty flavor of Peanut M&Ms pairs perfectly with golden caramel and a touch of Himalayan salt, creating a balanced fusion of sweet and salty. The caramel notes echo the candy's sweetness, while the salt enhances the peanut flavor.
- Chocolate Tea and Reese’s Cups – Chocolate and peanut butter are certainly in the running for best flavor pairing. The rich chocolate in this tea mirrors the indulgent nature of a Reese’s cup.
- Chocolate Chai Supreme and Twix – The simplicity of Twix’s chocolate, caramel, and biscuit is enhanced by the tea’s spiced chocolate notes, transforming each bite into a warm, comforting moment.
- English Breakfast and Snickers – The robust and malty profile of English Breakfast tea beautifully complements the caramel, nougat, and chocolate layers of Snickers, balancing the richness.
- Florence and Baby Ruth – Notes of chocolate and hazelnut in this blend mirror the peanuts and caramel in a Baby Ruth, creating a rich, decadent pairing that transports you straight to the streets of Florence with every taste.
- Hot Apple Spice and Nerds Clusters – Hot Apple Spice highlights the fruity punch of Nerds Clusters with its warm apple, cinnamon, and clove notes, while the rich black tea adds depth and balance to this tangy yet sweet pairing.
- Hot Cinnamon Spice and Butterfinger – A delightful contrast, as the bold and spicy notes of cinnamon cut through the rich, peanut-buttery sweetness of Butterfinger, creating a zesty and refreshing balance. This pairing enhances the candy's flavors while offering a stimulating contrast to its sweetness.
- Murder on the Orient Express and Hershey's Chocolate – The smoky citrus character of this tea adds surprising complexity to a classic Hershey bar, transforming each bite into a layered and intriguing flavor experience.
- Victorian London Fog and Kinder Bueno – The blend’s notes of bergamot and vanilla mirror the candy’s creamy hazelnut and chocolate layers, creating a seamless bridge between the aromatic richness of the tea and the sweet, nutty indulgence of the candy.
Herbal and Decaf Pairings
Herbal and decaf blends are ideal when you want a flavorful tea without the caffeine, making them perfect for young trick-or-treaters or for a relaxing late-night treat. Fruity, spiced, or floral notes add sweetness, warmth, or tang to candy pairings, keeping the tasting experience approachable at any time.
- African Autumn and Almond Joy – The nutty and coconut elements of Almond Joy complement the rooibos base, while the tea's citrus notes add a surprising contrast that brightens the rich flavors.
- Indigo Punch and Starburst – This caffeine-free, fruity blend complements Starburst’s intense sweetness, enhancing the candy’s juicy notes while providing your palate with a refreshing break between flavors.
- Berry Cobbler and Twizzlers – Bright berry notes accentuate Twizzlers’ strawberry sweetness, while the gentle herbal base refreshes the palate, allowing the candy’s playful, chewy texture to shine with every taste.
- Raspberry Herbal and Swedish Fish – The sweet, fruity layers of Swedish Fish, with hints of lingonberry, cherry, and even pomegranate, are perfectly echoed by raspberry herbal tea, creating a lively, berry-forward pairing that keeps each taste fun.
- Pumpkin Spice and Milk Duds – Comforting spices of cinnamon and clove in this blend elevate the simplicity of Milk Duds, creating a harmonious, fall-inspired pairing that’s both sweet, warm, and irresistibly cozy.
- Peppermint Herbal and York Peppermint Patties – With its clean, invigorating peppermint notes, this caffeine-free herbal tea enhances the minty core of a York Peppermint Patty, balancing the chocolate and keeping each taste lively and refreshing.
- Decaf Vanilla Comoro and 100 Grand Bar – The crispy rice and caramel layers in the 100 Grand Bar pair well with the vanilla's sweetness, while the tea's smoothness balances the candy's texture.
- Decaf Ceylon and Whoppers – Subtle notes of honey in this blend pair perfectly with a smooth, medium-bodied profile, making it a great match for Whoppers. They may not be the most popular candy, but they always show up on Halloween, and the tea’s light sweetness balances the malted center.
