Christmas Cracker with Winter Spiced Tea, 16 Bags

The cracker comes as a single piece and arrives already filled: 16 bags of winter spiced tea, enough for a good two weeks of afternoon tea or for a larger round in one evening. The ingredient list stays short and consists of tea, a flower and spices. Black tea forms the base, hibiscus joins it, and cinnamon, ginger, clove and star anise bring the festive note.

• 1 cardboard Christmas cracker holding 16 winter spiced tea bags
• Ingredients: black tea, hibiscus, cinnamon, ginger, clove, star anise
• Weight: 50 g
• Packaging labelled in English
• Brewing: steep for 2 to 3 minutes

Brewing takes three steps: take one tea bag, pour freshly boiled water over it and let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Then remove the bag from the cup. If you like it creamy, add milk as you please, and a sweetener can go in to taste as well. The steeping time decides how strong the cup turns out. Nothing else is required, neither a strainer nor a teapot, a mug and hot water are enough.

The Christmas cracker is meant as a gift for the Christmas stocking, for Secret Santa or simply for enjoying yourself. In gift rounds with a set budget it holds its own, and it works just as well as an extra alongside a larger present. Colleagues get something that actually gets used up, and tea drinkers get a spicy blend for the run-up to Christmas. If you still need a small something for a December visit to friends, this suits the evening nicely.

Put the cracker on a plate together with a favourite mug and the little pack turns into a complete gift. At the Christmas table it works as a place card: add a name beside it and every guest takes their tea home after the meal. If you are keeping it for yourself, try the blend once plain and once with milk, then decide which version suits your evening. The 16 bags are also plenty for two people sharing the supply across Advent. In a hamper, the cracker sits happily beside biscuits, chocolate or a candle.

How many tea bags are included? The cracker holds 16 winter spiced tea bags.

What is in the tea blend? Black tea, hibiscus, cinnamon, ginger, clove and star anise.

How long should the tea steep? 2 to 3 minutes in freshly boiled water, then remove the bag. Add milk and a sweetener if you like.

Does the cracker snap like a real party cracker? The cracker is a cardboard pack in cracker shape that holds the 16 tea bags. The shape is the nod to tradition, the contents are tea.

Is it a good Secret Santa gift? Yes, it is meant as a gift for Secret Santa, for the Christmas stocking or simply for yourself.