Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zhena’s Gypsy Tea
Product Description:
A robust and full flavored black tea accented with exotic imperial spices. The bold concentrated character of this lush black tea lends itself well to the full notes of cardamom, ginger and clove. The sweet hint of tropical coconut fragrantly fills the cup, offering an inviting taste of paradise to savor from any spot on the map. Delicious with a splash of milk. A bright and flavorful steep. Sunglasses not included.
Ingredients: Indian black tea, organic cinnamon, ginger, cardamom pods, whole cloves, orange peels, nutmeg, org. black pepper, organic cinnamon essential oil, organic coconut flavor.
Taster’s Review:
I guess it’s no big secret – I love chai blends! Now, when I say “chai” – I am using the word to describe what those of us in the United States have come to know as “chai” – that is, a tea or tisane that is comprised of a combination of warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger and/or cardamom … just to name a few. Some chai blends have fewer spices than those I just listed, some have many more.
I think that’s one of the things that I find so intriguing about chai blends. I like the warm spiciness of it, and I like how the different variations of spices can lead to totally different tastes… some being more bold, some being lighter; some being more focused on one or two spice ingredients, and some being very even toned – so much so that it’s hard to tell where one spice ends and another begins.
This is an incredibly delicious chai blend from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea. The coconut lends a sweet, creamy flavor to the chai blend, making it unnecessary to add milk or cream to make this a latte. No, I’m not saying this is already a latte, but it does already possess some of that creamy, sweet factor that is very much like a latte. Of course, if you wish to add it, it is perfectly delicious with this addition (and for an unbelievably delicious and decadent chocolate coconut chai latte, try adding some dark chocolate breve crème!)
I have previously reviewed this chai blend, and I enjoy it now just as much as I enjoyed it then. It has a very pleasing spice level that is not too spicy and not too tame. The nutmeg is a nice addition and is a spice that I do not see very often in chai blends, but one that I think adds a nice dimension of flavor, especially to this blend, as it enhances the coconut flavor nicely. The orange is also a nice addition, and rounds out the tropical taste of this chai.
A very nice, comforting chai and one of my favorite teas from Zhena’s!
