Anyone looking for a flavourful cup with a savoury sandwich
If you’re after a full flavour, check which plants are used in the herbal tea, then follow the recommended brewing time before comparing recipes.
Who is this guide for?
Anyone looking to avoid caffeine
An explicit caffeine-free claim and the ingredients list will help you distinguish the herbal tea you’re looking for from a robust black tea.
Anyone comparing pack sizes
If you’re adding tea bags to your regular shop, check the number of bags, net weight and flavour profile. Two similarly sized boxes don’t necessarily contain the same recipe.
What should you look for?
Mint and liquorice herbal tea
Choose this if: you’re looking for fresh mint notes combined with liquorice’s distinctive flavour.
Keep in mind: ANSES advises that high and repeated consumption of liquorice carries risks, particularly for some groups.
Mint herbal tea
Choose this if: you prefer mint without the flavour of liquorice. The 1336 product described by Auchan contains only spearmint.
Keep in mind: this recipe has a different flavour profile from a mint and liquorice blend.
Black tea
Choose this if: by “strong”, you mean a more robust tea rather than a herbal infusion. Twinings recommends brewing its Original Earl Grey for four minutes for a more intense flavour.
Keep in mind: black Earl Grey isn’t the right choice if you’re looking for a caffeine-free herbal tea.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour profile | The ingredients and recommended brewing time; “strong” alone doesn’t tell you what’s in a recipe. | With a savoury sandwich, I want my drink to have a distinctive flavour, without choosing based on its name alone. Around 46% of consumers would put this flavour profile first. |
| Caffeine-free | An explicit claim on the product and whether tea is included in the ingredients. | If I want to avoid caffeine, a robust-tasting cup isn’t enough to guide my choice: I want to know exactly what I’m drinking. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Pack size | The number of tea bags, net weight and recipe, especially if you’re buying it regularly. | When I add a box to my regular shop, I want to know how many tea bags it contains and whether I’ll enjoy the flavour. For around 27% of consumers, pack size would be the main criterion. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Assuming “strong” means the same thing for every drink
Mint and liquorice herbal tea, mint herbal tea and black tea Earl Grey have different ingredients. Their brewing instructions also don’t mean they’ll have the same intensity.
First decide which type of flavour you’re looking for, then read the ingredients and follow the instructions for that particular product.
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Choosing liquorice for regular drinking without checking the advice
ANSES warns that high and repeated consumption of liquorice can lead to low blood potassium and high blood pressure, among other effects. It advises particular caution for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and people with certain cardiovascular, kidney or liver conditions.
Check the box for liquorice and any warnings. If you have a relevant health condition or are taking medication, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
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Thinking black tea is the same as a caffeine-free herbal infusion
Black tea may suit you if you’re after a robust flavour, but it doesn’t meet the same requirement as a product explicitly labelled caffeine-free.
If this is a deciding factor, check the product name, ingredients and on-pack claims.
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Comparing boxes without checking what’s inside
The number of tea bags, net weight and recipes vary from one product to another. A larger pack isn’t necessarily right for you if you prefer a different flavour profile.
Compare recipes you’re genuinely interested in, then check the number of tea bags and the net weight.
Brands to know when making your choice
Lipton
The Grand Sud liquorice and mint herbal tea described by Carrefour France is an example of a recipe in which liquorice is the main ingredient.
- Carrefour France lists 71% liquorice and 23% mint for this product.
- The high liquorice content makes ANSES’s advice relevant if you consume it in large quantities or regularly.
Twinings
Original Earl Grey is a black tea option for anyone who understands “strong” to mean a more pronounced tea flavour.
- Twinings recommends brewing for four minutes for a more intense flavour.
- This black tea isn’t interchangeable with a herbal infusion chosen to avoid caffeine.
Carrefour Classic'
The Réglisse Menthe product offers another recipe with clearly stated proportions to compare within this flavour category.
- Carrefour France lists 71.5% liquorice and 28.5% mint.
- The same ANSES advice about high and repeated consumption applies to liquorice.
Tisèa / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
The herbal tea range featured by E.Leclerc includes a liquorice and mint-flavour option.
- This product comes in a box of 25 tea bags, with a net weight of 40 g.
- Pack size alone won’t tell you what it tastes like: check the ingredients of the recipe you choose.
Auchan / Auchan Bio
Auchan’s herbal tea range offers different plant-based flavour profiles, so you don’t have to rely on the word “strong”.
- Auchan lists a 1336 herbal tea made with spearmint only.
- Check the recipe for each product: mint on its own won’t taste like a blend containing liquorice.
Products for different tastes
These Joybuy products include herbal teas with different recipes, as well as a black tea. To choose a drink to go with your sandwich, start with the ingredients that appeal to you, then check the pack size and brewing instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
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PUKKA Peppermint & Licorice – 20 tea bags
Worth considering if you’re looking for a herbal tea that combines peppermint and liquorice to enjoy with your sandwich.
Box of 20 tea bags. Carrefour France describes this Pukka recipe as naturally caffeine-free; check the packaging if this claim will influence your choice.
The recipe contains liquorice: ANSES advice applies to high and repeated consumption.
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Lipton Ice Tea South Africa Licorice Mint – 20 tea bags
Worth a look if you’re after a combination of mint and liquorice in tea bags.
Box of 20 tea bags. Check the brewing time on the packaging before making it, as the information given for this product differs in different parts of its description.
It contains liquorice: bear ANSES advice in mind if consuming it in large quantities or regularly.
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PUKKA Manuka Honey with Lemon & Ginger – 20 tea bags
This herbal tea is for anyone who prefers lemon and ginger notes to mint and liquorice.
Box of 20 tea bags. It also contains liquorice: check the ingredients and bear ANSES advice in mind if you drink it regularly.
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Tapal Danedar Black Tea – 300 tea bags, 750 g
Consider this if the full flavour you’re after is that of black tea rather than a herbal infusion.
The pack contains 300 tea bags and weighs 750 g. Check the brewing instructions on the packaging; this black tea isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a caffeine-free drink.
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LA TISANIERE, aniseed, mint and verbena herbal tea – 20 tea bags
Worth considering if you prefer a blend of plants with mint to the flavour of liquorice or black tea.
Box of 20 tea bags. Check the net weight on the packaging if you’re comparing pack sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Does the word “strong” guarantee a more robust herbal tea?
No, the word alone isn’t enough to compare recipes. Read the ingredients and brewing instructions: mint and liquorice herbal tea, mint on its own and black tea Earl Grey each have a different flavour.
What should I choose if I want to avoid caffeine?
Choose a product explicitly labelled caffeine-free and check its ingredients list. Twinings Original Earl Grey is a black tea, while Carrefour France describes its Pukka peppermint and liquorice herbal tea as naturally caffeine-free.
Can I drink mint and liquorice herbal tea regularly?
How often you drink it matters if the recipe contains liquorice. ANSES warns that high and repeated consumption can cause adverse effects and advises particular caution for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and people with certain cardiovascular, kidney or liver conditions. Ask a healthcare professional for advice if you have a relevant health condition or are taking medication.
How do I choose between two boxes of tea bags for my regular shop?
First compare the ingredients to find a flavour you enjoy, then check the number of tea bags and net weight. If you often have this drink with a sandwich, also make sure the brewing instructions suit the way you like to serve it.