Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

My friend and sometimes helper, Jessica has been asking me for this blend, so here goes. We took our premium Assam CTC teas and blended them with freshly ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove and black pepper, then added some organic vanilla bean bits and natural flavors for a seriously decadent treat.

Taster’s Review:

This is a very finely ground chai, so finely ground that it’s almost powdery.  Because of the fine grind, I recommend using a smart brewing device like this one, as the nylon mesh strainer will help you to avoid getting tiny bits of tea leaf and spice in your teacup.  (And don’t overdo it with the measuring.  Too much leaf will make for a way-too-strong and bitter-tasting cuppa.)

The aroma of the dry leaf is nice:  the vanilla and caramel notes are strong, and the spices are pungent.  I don’t really notice much fragrance from the Assam tea, but even though I can’t really smell it, it is certainly tasted in the brewed cup!

BOLD!  The flavor of the Assam is bold and assertive, and it is not about to let the spices and flavorings have all the fun in this cup.  The Assam is a full-flavored, rich Assam with delightful malty tones that play off the caramel and vanilla flavors very well.

The spices are delicious.  The cinnamon, ginger and pepper provide the strongest flavors here, with the cardamom and clove creating a warm background flavor.  While the spices are not quite as well-balanced as in other chai blends I’ve tasted, they do their job and create a very pleasing, well-spiced cup of chai.

The caramel and vanilla are delightful additions to this blend.  Sweet and creamy, they eliminate the need to go “latte” with a splash of milk – although if you wish to add it, that would certainly be alright.  I personally think that it is creamy and decadent without the milk … with milk, this becomes an over-the-top treat!