Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Tea Description:

If this doesn’t warm you up on a cold day, you better check your pulse.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I think I’ve mentioned this before here – at least once! – but I love red hots.  They were definitely one of my favorite candies when I was a kid.  I loved that spicy cinnamon flavor.

So, I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed the first time I brewed this.  It was a delicious chai, but it didn’t have the spicy hot cinnamon flavor that I wanted.  But, I’ve come to realize the fault was not with the chai, but with me.  I was a bit distracted, and before I took a moment to sip it without additions, I added some warmed, frothed milk to it to make a latte.  The milk – unfortunately – muted the spicy cinnamon flavor.  Delicious, but not quite what I expected from a “Red Hot Chai.”

So this time when I brewed this tea, I decided to go non-latte, and see what happens.  It is MUCH better like this.  I can now taste a bit of the red hot-ness going on.  Very cinnamon-y!  I can taste the other spices here too, however, they become more of a supporting cast to the starring role of the cinnamon.  Especially nice is the cardamom, which brings in a hint of citrus-y flavor which accents the cinnamon nicely; and the anise which offers a whisper of licorice-y flavor in the distance.  This isn’t a strong flavor, but I like how it teases the palate as I sip.  The black tea base is also discernible amid the strength of the cinnamon, providing a solid, robust flavor.

Overall, a very tasty chai.  It isn’t my favorite chai from 52Teas (still loving the Gingerbread Chai, Frank), but, it is quite enjoyable and definitely has a cinnamon kick!

Product Information:

Product:  black tea – instant spiced chai mix

Where to Buy:  Jaipur Avenue

Product Description:

A retreat into green/woodsy undertones, refreshing aromas and natural sweetness.

Learn more about this product here.

Taster’s Review:

Nice!

In some chai blends, I have a difficult time discerning the cardamom because of the stronger flavors of cinnamon and ginger.  Yes, cardamom on its own can be a strong spice, but when united with cinnamon and ginger, these two warmer spices can be very aggressive and often overpower some of the subtle complexities of the cardamom.

I’m loving that this chai mix focuses on the cardamom!

With this chai mix, I can taste the light citrus-y tone of the cardamom, and that sun-kissed fruit note gives this chai a brightness that I seldom experience with a spiced chai.  This citrus-y flavor weaves its way throughout the sip, and is most prominent in the aftertaste where I can taste a light, orange-y kind of flavor.  This tastes lighter and more refreshing while still maintaining that warm spiciness that I love about chai.

I can taste the other spice flavors:  most notably, I can taste notes of ginger and cinnamon.  But these spices that often dominate a chai have taken a back seat with this chai, allowing the cardamom to drive for a change.  The black tea is also there, peaking its way through every now and then.  This chai mix also has the latte already mixed in – giving it a smooth, rich, creamy flavor that is absolutely luxurious.

This chai mix has been sweetened, and while this is a little sweeter than I would have made for myself, my sweet tooth doesn’t seem to mind.

I’ve really enjoyed this … my only complaint?  It’s all gone now, and I want more!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Jaipur Avenue

Product Description:

An awakening with zesty notes, stimulating aromas and heartwarming spice.

Learn more about this chai here.

Taster’s Review:

I have tasted and reviewed three of the five different flavors of chai mixes from Jaipur Avenue, and I think of the three that I’ve tried thus far, this one is my favorite.

What can I say?  I love a good, hot, spicy cup of chai, and this one fits the bill.  The extra ginger in this blend gives it just the right kick of peppery, zingy ginger flavor.  It is warm and invigorating, but, the creamy aspect of the latte tones down the ginger just enough so that it isn’t TOO peppery hot.

It is spicy and just toes the line at the point where my tongue feels like it’s on fire… you know?  It’s like it’s almost there, but not quite.  And that’s just the way I like it to be!  I want a chai to warm me up with its spices but I don’t want it so hot that all I taste is spice.  I don’t want to be so overwhelmed by the spice that I can’t enjoy the other aspects of the chai – and Jaipur Avenue hits the nail right on the head with this blend.  Spicy, but not overpoweringly so!

I can also taste the other spice notes here, I taste hints of cinnamon and a nice backdrop of cloves and cardamom.  The black tea is there too, providing a pleasant flavor in the background that is bold and energizing.  The creamy milk for the “latte” adds just the right creamy texture and flavor to the cup.

And yes, these chai mixes are sweetened, but, even with the sweetener, I don’t find them too sweet.  And here’s a bonus:  each package whips up a creamy, smooth latte that’s just 90 calories.  That’s right, all this sweet, creamy, deliciously spicy flavor for just 90 calories!  AWESOME!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Jaipur Avenue

Tea Description:

A celebration with delicate fragrances, luxurious cream and soft spice.

Learn more about this chai here.

Taster’s Review:

Oh my goodness … this is like comfort food in liquid form!  It is so creamy and delicious.

This Vanilla Chai mix is different from the Original Masala Chai mix in a couple of ways, most notably that this chai is very vanilla-y.  I’ve tried several different vanilla chai blends in the past, but, this one takes vanilla to a whole new level.

The spices are more of an accent to the vanilla.  In most cases, I’d be disappointed by that, but with this particular chai, it’s hard to be disappointed because it is so good.  SO GOOD!

The black tea is noticeable, but, it is somewhat masked by the creaminess of the vanilla and the milky notes.  I will say that I found the black tea flavors to develop as I continued to sip, and despite the fact that the flavor was somewhat obscured, this chai definitely has the energizing factor of a black tea.

This would make a good chai mix for someone who likes their chai on the mild side (rather than the spicy), although, I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who dislikes sweet drinks.  That’s because this is sweet.  It could easily replace a dessert.  It has a decadent creaminess to it, like a warm, liquified vanilla spiced custard.

As for me, I absolutely love this.  It is incredibly decadent and rich and oh-so-yummy.  My sweet tooth highly recommends this one!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Jaipur Avenue

Product Description:

An adventure through spicy notes, soothing aromas and velvet textures.

Learn more about this product here.

Taster’s Review:

Wow!  This mix makes an unbelievably good chai!

I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about this product before trying it, because I’ve not always had the best of luck with chai mixes.  Many that I’ve tried have been way too sweet, but this one, while it is sweetened, isn’t too sweet.  It has a very pleasant balance of spice and sweetness and creaminess while still allowing the flavor of the black tea to come through.

The black tea is the least distinguishable of the flavors of this cup, but that does not mean that it is indistinguishable.  It is a full-flavored black tea which lends a very pleasing backdrop for the spices of this blend to do their thing.

And those spices do their thing very well!  They begin very subtle, but within the time that it takes to take two or three sips, I noticed that the warmth of the peppery ginger began to heat the back of my throat.  The spice blend tastes spicy and exotic, and what I’m enjoying most of all about the blend of spices used here is that while it does create a spicy cup, I think it is at a level that even those who tend to steer clear of spicy teas can enjoy it.

This may be due in part to the addition of dry milk to the mix, which lends a soft, creamy note to the cup and allow the delivery of the tea and spices to be a very smooth one.  In other words, your palate is not set afire by the spices in this product, it is warmed gently, allowing the temperature of the spices to build gradually, making for a very enjoyable chai experience!

I prepared this product according to package instructions:   I poured the contents of the package into a mug, added a small amount of boiling water, then stirred it until the powders were dissolved.  Then I added more boiling water and got out my frothing tool and began frothing it.  The result is a rich, foamy cup of deliciously spicy chai that not only helped warm me up on this chilly winter’s morning, but also helped to wake me up!

This stuff is awesome!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  Fusion Tea Room

Tisane Description:

A spicy take on a traditional Argentinean brew. This fusion of yerba mate, and freshly ground whole cardamom, cinnamon sticks, star anise and ginger bits create a delicious and warming cup. Great iced or with sweetener and a touch of soy milk.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

Over the last couple of days, it’s been very windy here in the Pacific Northwest.  Windy and chilly!  When it’s like this, the chill seems to saturate me, and even my bones feel cold.  It’s perfect weather to stay inside and enjoy a hot cup of chai!  The warmth of the masala spices helps to warm me from the inside out, and makes me forget all about that howling wind outside.

I like this Chai Spice Maté from Fusion Tea Room very much.  The flavors of masala spice and Yerba Maté are balanced very well.  The earthy/vegetative quality of the Maté is very prominent, and usually that would be something that I’d find off-putting, but, I’m really enjoying how the earthiness of the Maté and the earthy notes of the spices work together.

The spices are very warm but not what I’d consider spicy.  I wouldn’t call them “mild” either, they’re somewhere in between the two – very pleasantly warm and exotic without overpowering the palate with spice.  One of my favorite spices is star anise, and I like that the flavor of the anise comes through very nicely here, giving a licorice-y kind of taste that lingers well into the aftertaste.

A wonderfully warm and energizing cup of chai!  This one will help get you going!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Jennifer’s Tea Garden

Tisane Description:

Based in organic rooibos, this blend with an invigorating aroma and luxurious spices makes a full-flavored treat! Best with steamed milk. Naturally caffeine free.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review: 

My favorite winter-y tea is chai.  Not chai as in tea but chai as in the warm blend of spices combined with tea (or in this case, rooibos and honeybush!)  Nothing warms me up better than a delicious chai.

And this one is quite yummy!  The “usual” spices are all there:  cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger.  In this blend, there are a couple of other spices too:  anise seed and fennel.  These two spices are not as noticeable in the flavor as they are in the aroma, but, they do add just a hint of licorice-y flavor to the cup which is really quite lovely.

One thing that is also a little unusual about this particular blend is that the ginger has a softer flavor than I’m used to with chai.  Yes, I can taste that peppery heat from the ginger, but it is more of a mild, gentle kind of heat.  It doesn’t have that prickly, peppery effect on the tongue that ginger sometimes has.

The biggest effect that the lighter ginger flavor has on this cup – at least, in my opinion – is that the flavor of the cloves and cardamom are really coming through very distinctly.  Especially the cardamom!  Citrus-y and exotic, and pleasantly soothing.

I’ve said before that I really like the combination of rooibos and honeybush together.  I find that the honeybush helps to curb some of the funkier flavors of the rooibos.  The result is a nutty flavor that is honey-sweet, and that’s what I’m tasting here.  It compliments the spice tones of this blend quite well.

Overall, a nicely balanced chai that is not too spicy or sweet, but, somewhere in between.  I brewed mine extra strong and then added a bit of steamed, frothed milk and it became a dessert-like treat.  Sweet and delicious, it didn’t even need honey!

I hope you’ll bear with me as I do something a little different with tonight’s post.

As a subscriber to the Steepster Select program, I receive a box with three different teas.  Each month there is a different theme.  This month’s theme is “The Big Chill.”  The box also includes a postcard size card that offers some insight on the theme, as well as the teas that are chosen.

Here is the description of The Big Chill:

For when winter seeps into the bones and dull skies numb the spirit, we have just the teas to warm you through and through.

A smokey black tea, fire crackling at your feet.
A chai with warming spices, heat spreading from sip to fingertips.
A peppermint-blended green tea, the remembrance of holidays past.

Seasons greetings from Steepster.

This month, I have already reviewed the smoky black tea and the chai with warming spices, but have not yet reviewed the peppermint-blended green tea.  That’s because I already reviewed this tea back in November, and since it was such a short time ago, I didn’t feel the need to review it once again.  My thoughts on this tea haven’t changed:  it still tastes crisp and minty and refreshing. However, I didn’t want to let January close without having mentioned the third tea.

The teas that were chosen for this month’s Steepster Select were all wonderful teas and were perfect for the chosen theme.  The smoky tones of the Lapsang Souchong evokes thoughts of a warm, cozy fire roaring in the fireplace.  The spices in the chai warmed me from the inside out, helping me to stave off winter’s cold.  And this delicious Moroccan Mint from Earthbound Tea is cool and sweet, reflective of the crisp chill in the air.

I can’t wait to discover what next month’s Steepster Select has in store!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Yogic Chai

Tea Description:

Organic Assam Tea, Organic Green Cardamom, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Cloves & Organic Ginger.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I’m quite sure I’ve said this (or something like this) before, but it bears repeating:  When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a cup of chai.  The heat of the masala spices warms you from the inside out.

And Yogic Chai makes some of my favorite chai blends.  And this blend is where it all started!  The blend is a perfectly balanced combination of just four spices:  cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger.  These are the four “usual suspects” when it comes to chai blends, and there are some tea companies that add some other spices, while others may omit one or two of the usual suspects, sometimes in favor of other spices, sometimes not. But really, when it comes to chai, the combination of spices that Yogic Chai uses is classic, but they have blended them masterfully as to create one of a very memorable chai.

Smooth, rich Assam tea makes up the base of this chai.  It is strong enough to offer a distinct flavor contribution, even though it is immersed in some rather spicy surroundings.  It has a malty character and does not taste bitter (although, as with all teas, I recommend not over-steeping as this may produce a bitter taste).

This is my second tea from my Janauary Steepster Select box, and it is a good one.  I’ve tried many teas from Yogic Chai, but this is the first time I’ve tried the Original!  Delicious served straight and it makes an awesome latte too, although I think its best served without the milk, adding just a little turbinado sugar to accent the spices.  This way I get more impact from the spices, as I think that the addition of milk seems to mute the spices just a bit.  This one is yummy any way you choose to serve it!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden

About This Tea:

The story goes that Lapsang Souchong was first created when the Wuyi region’s annual tea drying process was interrupted by army movement. To compensate for the missed drying period, tea farmers hung their tea over pinewood fires, consequently imparting a distinctive smoky flavor and aroma. Our Lapsang Souchong is sourced by Mark Ukra, co-owner of Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden, who comes from a family of Middle Eastern tea merchants dating back 400 years. Drink Lapsang Souchong plain or try it as a spice or rub for cooking.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

January’s Steepster Select box brought teas that to help warm us up from Winter’s Chill.  The first tea that I tried from the box was this Lapsang Souchong, which is a little unusual for me since it’s one of my least favorite teas (well, not this Lapsang Souchong, but Lapsang Souchong in general is one of my least favorite teas).

But this is no ordinary Lapsang Souchong.  This is easily the best that I’ve ever tried.  Now, I can’t say that I’ve tried a lot of Lapsang Souchong teas, as it is one of those teas that I tend to avoid, but I have tried a few, and I’ve even managed to – slowly – get my palate more accustomed to the unique flavor experience of Lapsang Souchong.  While I am slowly gaining an appreciation for this strong, smoky tea, it is still sometimes difficult for me to get past it.

This Lapsang Souchong from Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden has been a real eye-opening experience for me.  I am not just “appreciating” this tea … I’m LOVING it!

The first couple of sips are quite smoky.  But once I get past those first sips, I find wonderful flavors await me.  I can actually taste the pine here, and that is something that I didn’t really experience in previous Lapsang Souchong tastings.  I may have tasted mere hints of pine in the distance, but, mostly what I tasted was smoke and the caramel undertone.  Here, the pine is quite distinct and it is lovely.

The caramel undertones are there as well, giving a very pleasant sweetness to the smoky overtones.  But what I find especially enjoyable is the way that the caramel undertones meld with the pine notes.  The flavors here are deep and intriguing.

A very unique Lapsang Souchong, and I have Steepster Select for bringing it to me!