Green Chile Biscochito

2025 Steepster Advent Swap: Day 7

I’ve seen this tea reviewed a few times, and every time it crosses my dashboard, I think that it sounds intriguing and worth a try — so, thanks to Michelle for including it in the advent swap!

“Intriguing” is probably a good word for it. I mostly smelled cinnamon and cocoa in the dry leaf, whereas brewed up I’m smelling both those ingredients plus a bit of vanilla and a gentle hay-like chamomile. It tastes of cinnamon and a very light milk chocolate laced on a light chamomile. The green chile is incredibly mild, but comes through at the veryyy end of each sip as a light and tingly heat.

I think I can see (err, smell/taste) the sort of cinnamon-sugar cookie inspiration, but I don’t think the blend really screams “cookie” overall. Still, it’s different and surprising and really quite lovely.

There is a little bit of chile heat as an aftertaste, but the main flavor notes are cinnamon and anise. It smells more like a cookie than it tastes, and I will happily sip down this small tin. A good addition to the fall subscription box.

So I’ve never heard of a biscochito, but apparently it’s a New Mexican cookie that’s similar to shortbread, but with added orange, cinnamon, and anise. Sounds scrumptious! This tea also has the addition of Hatch green chile powder to make things a bit more interesting.

I admit, I wasn’t too enthused by the smell, which is mostly just cinnamon. But the taste is actually quite different. It’s less sweet than I expected, and I can actually taste the green chile. It’s not spicy though, I just taste the flavor of the chile if that makes sense. The cinnamon and anise are both present, but nicely restrained so they don’t take over the blend. I can even taste a bit of the cocoa shell!

It doesn’t really taste like a cookie to me, but I am really enjoying the combination of flavors and it’s nice on the green base. Unsure yet if it’s a reorder, but I’m looking forward to future cups!