Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Choice Organic Teas
Tisane Description:
Thrill your senses with this naturally caffeine-free twist on traditional chai. We blend rich South African rooibos with the finest masala spices for a cup that’s warming, robust and subtly sweet. It’s a luscious treat that pairs wonderfully with milk and sweetener. (Caffeine Free)
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a nicely balanced chai blend – spicy, but not too spicy, and just enough of an exotic sweet spice to it to keep it interesting. And the most surprising part of it all is that this is a rooibos blend!
I’ve never really hid my lack of interest when it comes to rooibos. I mean, I don’t hate rooibos or anything, but, it isn’t usually my first choice when it comes to a cup of tea. But, the fact that this is an organic rooibos base is one thing that I found assuring. If I were to have a side-by-side comparison of plain, unflavored rooibos that was conventionally grown versus a plain, unflavored rooibos that was organically grown, I’d choose the organic every time. There is a very noticeable difference in taste between the two.
And it makes a difference in this cup too. The flavor is smooth and there is an undertone of earthy, nutty flavor to the cup, and this earthiness from the rooibos melds well with the earthiness of the chai spices. I taste the cinnamon, and the cloves, and the cardamom … with the ginger and pepper sort of providing a backdrop of flavor that I really like. Often, these two spices in a chai tend to take over the cup, offering a very peppered taste, but, that’s not happening with this cup. I do love a good, spicy, peppery chai, but I also enjoy it when I find a blend that has these spices as more of a background note than something in the forefront.
But that’s not to say that this isn’t a spicy cup – it’s got it’s own spiced charm to it, but, it isn’t what I’d call a very strongly spiced chai. And I think for a rooibos blend, that’s right on target. You don’t really want something too spicy just before bed, and with rooibos being naturally caffeine free, it makes a great late-night chai option. Here neither the spices nor the caffeine will keep you awake!
