Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Om Chai is a blend of black tea, cardamom, and cloves, which produces a simple, lightly spiced, and excellent afternoon tea. It is our simplest blend of spiced Indian tea; but in simplicity comes great flavor. Similar to the essential nature of [Om], our Om Chai captures the most basic fragrance, flavor, and essence of spiced chai, and thus enhances the spiced tea experience.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of the most mild chai blends I’ve ever had the opportunity to taste. The first thing that came to mind when I tasted it was “where’s the cinnamon and ginger?” – because this blend doesn’t have any cinnamon or ginger in it.
But that’s not a complaint. It is what it is – and this is a solid, delicious black tea blend with cardamom and cloves. It is not a typical chai, but that isn’t a bad thing. It is a really nice change of pace from the typical spicy chai.
The black tea base is strong and invigorating. It has a nice malty taste to it – and because of the malty character, I suspect it is Assam tea or possibly a blend of teas that includes Assam. Because of this, I caution you to not over-steep it, because it will become bitter (wanna guess how I know?)
But when steeped correctly, this is really delicious. I love the warm, woodsy-rustic tone that the spice brings to the cup. The spices are not overbearing – the flavor of the tea is the star of this show – and that’s quite alright.
It is a very soothing tea . . . calming! (Perfect to sip while listening to your child practice playing the recorder. I love her, I think she’s very talented, but, the recorder? Well, that’s another thing all together.)
This is delicious with a drizzle of honey and a splash of milk – and equally as nice without the additions. A very nice cup of chai, indeed!
A good reason why I would want to live on the other side of the pond.