Organic Decaf Masala Chai from Arbor Teas

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!