Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  White

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Tea Description:

Here’s a tongue-tantalizing blend of premium white teas, dried peaches, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove and black peppercorns with natural flavors. My wife thought we should call it Peaches & Herb after the disco duo. All of our younger customers are now thinking, “Who????” which is why I decided to go with Peach Fuzz Chai.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This is one instance where I wish I hadn’t read the description of the tea before writing the review.  Because now, I can’t get the song Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches and Herb out of my head.  Aarrgh!  Seriously, I had to go straight to my music collection and listen to something to rock that groove right out of my head.  If you’re suffering from the same irritation, click here.

Now, I can talk about this tea.

This is quite tasty.  The spices are really lively in this, which is how it should be for a chai.  I taste the clove very prominently, with the cinnamon and cardamom filling in the background notes.  The ginger and black pepper provide a nice little peppery bite that lingers into the aftertaste.  I find myself wondering how some star anise might do with in this, as I love that licorice-y taste of anise.  But, as it is, I like the way these spices have been blended.

The peach starts off a bit soft, and isn’t really too noticeable at the start.  It isn’t until about mid-cup, and in the aftertaste, when I notice the peach tones, and they are delicious and offer a nice sweetness to contrast with the spicy notes.

And the white tea is not lost in this blend!  Even though it’s in there, beneath the spices, I don’t have to search for the white tea flavor.  It has a light, crisp flavor and a smooth texture, with hints of hay notes that seem to brighten up the whole cup.

While this isn’t my favorite 52Teas chai, it’s really good, and a vast improvement over the Apple Vanilla White Chai.   I think that this one will be excellent iced too!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Stash Tea

Tea Description:

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

On those mornings when I have a difficult time keeping my eyes open and I can’t crawl back into bed, Guayusa is often my choice for that all-important first cup of the day.  It wakes me up the way coffee used to, but without the late morning nausea that I’d get after drinking coffee.  And Guayusa even tastes quite a bit like coffee, except that it has less bitterness.

And with the chai spices that are used in this blend, it makes for a lovely, warming cup on this wet and rainy morning.  The Guayusa makes a nice base for the blend of masala spices, different from the typical black tea base, but, still quite tasty.

The cinnamon is a little overwhelming with this particular chai.  It is not a bad thing – I like cinnamon just fine – but, I find it a little difficult to pick out the other spices as the cinnamon seems to be stealing the spotlight a bit.  This actually tastes a bit more like a cinnamon flavored guayusa than a chai guayusa, because the cinnamon stands front and center while the other spices are a bit in the background, providing more of a accent to the cinnamon than standing on their own.

I am enjoying this very much, as I said, I like cinnamon … but, I had expected the spices to be a little more in balance.  By the time I reach the bottom of the cup, the ginger starts to emerge.  I notice a bit of a prickly, peppery note on the back of my palate from the ginger.  The cloves and cardamom still seem content to be off in the background, but their flavors do become more pronounced by the end of the cup.

Overall, though, a very enjoyable tea, and a great way to wake up!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Honeybush & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  World Spice Merchants

Tisane Description:

Chaider is sure to take off the chill with its original blend of Star Anise, Tellicherry Peppercorns, Cassia Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Green Cardamom Pod and Seed, Honeybush and Rooibos. Serve it steeped as you would tea, or in warmed apple cider.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This is a very tasty tisane from World Spice Merchants.  It does indeed have a flavor that is reminiscent of hot spiced cider, all that’s missing is the apple!  Then again, it is a little different from a typical cider.  This has a strong licorice-like flavor to it that gives it a sharpness and a sweet flavor and gives this its own unique flavor.

I’ve had this twice now, and the first time I steeped it, I steeped for ten minutes using a little too much leaf – about 2 heaping teaspoons per 8 ounces, which is about the normal amount for me when I make a chai blend, as I usually plan on diluting it with steamed milk to make a latte.

However, I didn’t make it a latte, so I had a very strong-tasting tisane, and I think it was a bit too strong, especially after tasting my second cup which I steeped for about 8 minutes and used  1 1/2 teaspoons per 8 ounces instead of the 2 heaping teaspoons.  This made a big difference in the taste, and I found the second cup to be much more palatable.

The anise flavor is quite strong with this tisane, and as I am a fan of anise, I don’t have a problem with that.  However, if you’re not a licorice or anise fan, this is not the tisane for you.  The other spices are nicely balanced, and the cinnamon and anise complement each other very well.  But this isn’t too cinnamon-y which is something I often find with cider-like teas or tisanes, and I like that I can taste the other spices here.

I can also taste the rooibos and honeybush, and they bring a nice, woody tone to the background.  Normally, I am not a fan of the woody flavors of these herbs (especially rooibos) but it works here, because of the overall rustic quality of this tisane.

A nice, warming tisane for these chilly early spring evenings.

Chai Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Teapigs

Chai Description:

This chilli chai is a twist on our traditional chai, a recipe that has been the Indian drink of choice for centuries. Alongside the assam tea, cardamom pods, chunks of ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, we have added flakes of chilli for an extra fiery kick. This chai is for those of you who don’t order korma and plain naan from your local curry house.

Learn more about this chai here.

Taster’s Review:

With my first sip or two, I found myself thinking … “hmm, OK, I can taste the chai spices, but, isn’t this supposed to be a Chilli Chai?”  But then, a few moments later, I FELT the heat from the chilli!  I could feel the warmth develop at the back of my tongue and in my throat, and with every moment that lapsed I felt that heat intensify!

That being said, I don’t think that this is a super-fiery-hot chai!  Yes, it has a kick to it, but, it never gets uncomfortably hot.  Intensely warm … it isn’t so hot that all I can taste is the chilli.  I like that I can taste the other spices, the Assam tea, and even a hint of sweet, creamy vanilla underneath that spicy heat!

The Assam base adds a nice amount of malt and a pleasing full-bodied flavor to the cup.  The spice that I notice (beyond the chilli!) is the cinnamon, and the chilli and cinnamon seem to work together to bring a spicy-yet-sweet heat to the cup.  The ginger adds a hint of pepper to the mix, while the cardamom gives almost a fruit-like note to the background.

This Chilli Chai from Teapigs is very enjoyable, indeed!  One I’d recommend to those who are looking for a spicier-than-the-ordinary chai, but not too spicy!

Product Information:

Product:  Chai Cola – a bottled, micro-brewed soft drink from Natural Brew.

Where to Buy:  New Seasons Market or where Natural Brew products are sold.

Product Description:

Product Information:

Product:  black tea – instant chai tea mix

Where to Buy:  Jaipur Avenue

Product Description:

An escapade into sensuous notes, floral fragrances and romantic sweetness.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Oh my goodness!  This is so good!

Having already tried Jaipur Avenue’s other chai blends, I knew I was in for a treat with this one, but I really wasn’t prepared for what the saffron would add to the mix.  Of the five mixes that I’ve tasted … this one is definitely my favorite!

Unlike the Ginger Chai Mix or even the Cardamom, which had a spicier profile, this Saffron Chai Mix is more subdued, but in a very enchanting way.  The flavor is smoother and well-rounded, as the saffron brings a gratifying sweetness to the cup that enhances the flavors without amplifying the spicy tones.  It brings out the more exotic and savory side of the spices in this blend, giving the overall cup a very indulgent, satisfying flavor.

Like the other chai mixes from Jaipur Avenue, this is incredibly rich and creamy.  It is indeed sweet, and while I don’t think I could drink more than one of these at a time, I don’t find the one cup to be too overwhelmingly sweet.  Instead, it has a really excellent balance between sweet and spice, with a pleasing earthiness that grounds the cup so that it doesn’t become too confectionery.

I have really enjoyed these chai mixes from Jaipur Avenue.  I like them because not only are they delicious but they are also very easy to make:  just add hot water and stir!  I used my frothing tool which gave it a light froth on top, but if you don’t have a frothing tool, this still tastes wonderful without the froth.  This mix gives you the tasty results of a chai that’s been simmered in milk on the stovetop without all the mess, and that’s a win-win in my book!

Chai Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Capital Teas

Chai Description:

An Indian specialty, warming and delicious with spices galore — orange peel, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and one secret ingredient.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Oh yeah!  I’m always eager to try a new chai!

This one is delightful.  In fact, I enjoy it so much that I had finished my first cup before I had a chance to start writing about it.  But, that’s okay, it gave me the opportunity to make another cup and try it latte.

For the first cup, though, I drank it without the milk addition, just a little bit of turbinado sugar to enhance the spices.  I noticed right away that the spices were well balanced, as I didn’t find myself noticing one particular note.  Instead, I tasted a warm, unified set of spices. I also noticed that the black tea base was pleasantly robust:  it was a good, strong black tea that provides a solid background of flavor.  It doesn’t try to compete with the spices, but, it holds its own.

By about mid-cup, I noticed the orange and a hint of creaminess from the vanilla.  These are not particularly strong, stand-out notes, but, they are strong enough to be noticed, and this chai would not be the same without them.

Another ingredient in this that the chai would not be the same without is the nutmeg.  While it does comprise the “unified set of spices” it gives the cup a warm, nutty taste that I don’t often experience with chai, and I really enjoyed it.

As for the latte, it turned out really good too.  As with any chai, I do recommend steeping it at double strength (steeping twice the amount of dry leaf) so that the milk does not overwhelm the cup.  I found that the milk brought out the vanilla tones a bit more, and some of the spicier notes were muted a little, but it wasn’t too apparent.  Overall, the latte was deliciously creamy, warm and satisfying.  YUM!

I would recommend this to all the spiced chai enthusiasts out there, because if you’re like me, you gotta try them all!  I’d also recommend this to someone looking for a well-balanced chai with just a little something different.  This one is sure to satisfy!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black (Decaffeinated)

Where to Buy:  Arbor Teas

Tea Description:

Finally, our customers that only drink decaffeinated tea can indulge in a chai latte! This Fair Trade Certified Masala Chai Organic black tea blend has a medium-body with exceptionally spicy flavor and aroma. Surprisingly similar to our caffeinated version of Masala Chai (and offered at the same price!) our Organic Decaf Masala Chai Black Tea uses a broken leaf grade black tea (BOP) blended with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. In contrast to our caffeinated version, we amped up the pepper for a slightly hotter mouth feel. The clove and ginger really come through, with a wonderful cardamom finish. As with all our decaf teas, this tea is decaffeinated using a state-of-the-art carbon dioxide (CO2) decaffeination process that does not involve the use of harmful chemicals. We recommend steeping a triple-strength cup of this organic Indian tea and serving it with honey and steamed milk.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Another decaffeinated tea that surprises me!

Truly, I have had fewer decaffeinated teas that I have not enjoyed versus those that I found to be very good (or better than very good, like this one!) but yet, the memory of those few that I disliked remain to taint my initial reaction to decaffeinated tea.  Those thin-tasting decaffeinated teas with chemical aftertastes still haunt me.  Fortunately, this decaffeinated chai from Arbor Teas is neither thin in taste nor does it have that icky chemical aftertaste.  This is actually so good, I find it hard to believe that it’s decaffeinated!

As mentioned in the above description from Arbor Teas, there is a bit more of a peppery bite to this one compared to the pepper level that I recall from Arbor Teas’ caffeinated version.  In that review, I had mentioned that the pepper stood out, and here, it stands out a bit stronger, but without tasting over-peppered.  Instead, the pepper seems to meld quite nicely with the flavors of the other spices.  There isn’t too much ginger or cinnamon here, which is also a plus given the fact that with so many chai blends seem to rely too heavily on the cinnamon or ginger to deliver their spicy impact.  Not that it’s bad to have a chai that’s been heavily laden with cinnamon or ginger, but it is nice to find one that allows the flavors of the cloves and cardamom to shine through.

This has such a unified flavor – everything is so well rounded!  The black tea has a strong flavor – without a strong decaffeinated flavor – and it melds seamlessly with the flavors of the spices.  It tastes spicy and exotic.  It is a beautifully executed chai … and I find it so delicious that I don’t even miss the caffeine!

I enjoyed my sampling of this tea hot with a little bit of turbinado sugar to complement the spices.  I did not add milk to it to make a latte, but, I think that the spicy composure of this chai would make for a very harmonious chai latte, so if you prefer your chai as a latte, I’d say go for it!

I’d recommend this whole-heartedly to those who are looking for delicious decaffeinated teas … this one is a keeper!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Verdant Tea

Tea Description:

Chai is a wonderful thing.  When the spices and tea are just right, there is something alchemical about the flavors with or without milk and honey.  We set out to build a better chai, starting with the tea.  We use our chocolatey, malty Laoshan Village black tea as the base, and build up from there with traditional additions like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and peppercorn.  We found that it wasn’t quite rich enough as a simple chai, so we added burdock root for a graham cracker sweetness, fennel for a lingering aftertaste, elderberry to deepen the flavors and finally, saffron strands to make the whole concoction perfectly smooth and creamy.

Ingredients:  Laoshan Black Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel, Cardamom Seeds, Cardamom Pods, Elderberry, Peppercorn, Burdock, Saffron.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

As I’ve mentioned before, I love chai and while I’ve tasted and reviewed many really wonderful chai blends, I don’t think I’ve found one that lives up to my Masterpiece Chai.  And while this Laoshan Village Chai from Verdant Tea is REALLY good, I can’t really compare it to my Masterpiece Chai because they are really two very different chai blends.

As with any chai, though, it is important to consider the base tea.  And Verdant Tea used their Laoshan Black tea which I previously reviewed, and in my opinion that makes a big difference in the brewed cup.  The flavor is rich and malty and even has hints of chocolate-y notes in the background and these notes add so much to the overall cup.

The “usual” spices – cinnamon, clove, ginger and cardamom – are all present and are balanced quite well here.  Also sometimes found in chai blends are pepper and fennel; Verdant added some of these spices to this chai as well.  These spices make up a delicious base of spices that bring to mind many of the usual terms that I use to describe chai:  spicy, sweet, tangy, and zesty.

But Verdant Tea was not content to stop with just the “usual” and added a few other interesting spices such as burdock root and saffron.  And WOW what a difference these two spices make.  The burdock root gives it a sweetness and a sort of “bread-y” depth.  Together with the ginger, it gives a flavor that is a bit like gingerbread.

The saffron adds such a distinct flavor to this as well as an amazing aroma.  Savory bitterness but also a delightful sweetness and hint of spice that you don’t typically experience with a chai … except for those that might include saffron.

I absolutely LOVE the way the spices come together here.  It is spicy, but not what I’d call super-spicy or spicy-hot.  Instead, it is more of a savory spicy flavor with medium heat.  This is more flavorful than it is spicy … if that makes sense.  This is a chai I’d recommend to someone looking for a fairly warm but not too spicy chai – one with a good balance of spices that keeps the taste buds actively exploring.  This is also a chai I’d recommend to foodies because of the diversity of flavor to the cup.

Superb!  Very well done, Verdant Tea!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Stauf’s Tea House/Stauf’s Coffee Roasters

Tea Description:

Smooth balance of crisp tea flavors, palate lingering and warming spices, and cleansing tannins.  Light spicy finish with a hint of fruitiness.

Learn more about this chai here.

Taster’s Review:

You know me, I love chai, and I’m always eager to try a new chai (or perhaps I should say:  new to me chai).  So, when one of my tea drinking comrades offered to send me some of this chai from Stauf’s, I was more than happy to take him up on his offer.

And now that I’m drinking this chai, I’m so happy that he offered me this opportunity.  This is an excellent chai!  It is richly spiced and yet it has a smooth delivery.  It is neither too spicy, nor is it too subtle.  I’d say it falls somewhere between the two extremes, leaning more toward the spicy than the subtle.  While I do enjoy a spicy chai, I like that this one has achieved a balance between spice and flavorful tea.

The tea base is a blend of Ceylon and Assam, which brings me back to my own tea blending days as the tea base that I used for my Masterpiece Chai was a blend of Ceylon and Assam.  I like that Stauf’s chose to combine these two teas, as it gives the tea base a strong tone that it needs as well as a little complex character.  The tea is strong enough to stand up and be tasted amongst the powerful flavors of the spices, but it doesn’t become bitter or throw the flavor off in any way.  It tastes smooth yet rich and bold.

And then there are the spices!  When I first started sipping, I noticed the cinnamon right away.  And the cinnamon remained the strongest note through the first couple of sips… but now that I am more than half-way finished with my cup, the other spice flavors have emerged and seem to have an equal amount of the palate’s attention.

I can taste the cardamom!  It gives  the cup a very pleasing warmth and hint of citrus-y flavor.  I can taste the cloves.  I can taste the pepper and the ginger, but I like that these two have not been added with too heavy a hand.  It has a peppery background note that seems to perk up the palate but never becomes too overpowering.

Stauf’s has achieved a very pleasing balance here, not just with the spices, but also with the tea base.  The result:  a fantastic cup of chai that is delicious served straight up (a small amount of turbinado sugar will enhance the spices without making it too sweet) as well as served as a latte!  YUM!  This one gets high praise from me.