Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Tulsi & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tea Description:
Ingredients… Tulsi, Cinnamon, Rooibos, Ginger Root, Cardamom, Fennel, Pink Peppercorn
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Tulsi India Chai from Shanti Tea is a really tasty twist on what I’ve come to expect from something labeled “chai.” Usually, when I think “chai” … I think of a black tea base with the usual spices: ginger, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. And while this blend does have three of the four usual spices … instead of black tea, it offers up a blend of rooibos and tulsi as the base for this chai.
The result is a naturally caffeine free blend that is spicy and sweet and really very delightful. The tulsi gives it an herbaceous taste without pushing that herbaceousness into the “medicinal” zone, it tastes light and fresh and crisp … exhilarating! There is a refreshing minty taste, notes of savory/sweet basil and this melds so beautifully with the spices.
As for the rooibos – well, I don’t really taste them here, and that’s just fine with me. Rooibos isn’t my favorite taste anyway … and I like this blend just the way it is.
My favorite thing about this blend is the fennel … it gives this cup a snappy-sweet licorice-y taste that I’m really liking. The cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and ginger work very harmoniously to provide a warm, comforting taste without tasting over-the-top spicy. Instead, I’d call this well spiced … certainly warm and zesty without leaving my palate feeling overwhelmed by spice.
A very pleasant way to enjoy chai later in the day when you don’t want to load up on the caffeine … but still want that great taste of chai spice!
