Disclaimer: I did not add pumpkin puree to my tea. While I found the thought of doing so very intriguing, I simply did not have the time to run out and get some. However, I did add pumpkin flavored agave. So I am crossing my fingers and crossing my toes that I enjoy this blend without the recommended-by-the-company pumpkin puree! I will say that I was a little annoyed with the fact that there was no pumpkin flavor in this tea, but that you had to add pumpkin puree. I do find it creative, but not everyone has a chance to run out and get that and I wish that there had been some pumpkin flavoring in there or pumpkin pieces or something else other than relying on the customer to go out and get pumpkin puree.
That said, the smell of this tea was pumpkin pie spice. I could totally pick out that there were all those spices in there. I have made pumpkin pie a lot in my life (pumpkin is one of my favorites) and I can pick out the spice blend from a mile away. The steeped liquid- as soon as I smelled it its almost like I was transported back to my childhood on Thanksgiving morning. My mom baking pumpkin pie and apple pie, my childish excitement over the day ahead. Just yum!
So, I steeped this for about 4 minutes and added pumpkin flavored agave and a splash of milk. This tea really was a nice treat! It had quite an interesting flavor to it. Im now curious to use pumpkin puree. I did, however, enjoy the pumpkin agave although I may have added a little too much because it was slightly over-sweet, but that made it all the more like a dessert. The pumpkin pie spices were really delicious and the black tea was smooth and creamy. I think I was close to drinking pumpkin pie in a glass and if I had listened to the company’s recommendation of pumpkin puree and whipped cream it honestly would have been pie in a glass! This would be a wonderful fall treat. Definitely recommend!
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Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tupelo Honey Teas
Description
This tea doesn’t appear to be current available but click below for blends that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Velvety Vanilla Chai from Twinings. . . . . . .
A dear friend who lives in England sent me some teas in the mail, and they’re all teas I’ve never had. The first tea I decided to try is of course Chai. I can never resist a good Chai. With a name like velvety vanilla, how could I not try it? It is a Chai made with black tea, but I threw my caffeine caution to the wind and brewed a cup. This morning was grey and cool so I needed the extra lift anyway.
Awhile back I tried a vanilla Chai and the vanilla flavor tasted very chemical-y. It tasted like the imitation vanilla flavoring with alcohol in it. That is not the case with this vanilla chai. The vanilla flavor is natural tasting and perfectly balanced with the other chai spices. And the vanilla doesn’t overpower the other spices, and vice versa. This was absolutely delicious, I have no complaints at all. It was as close to a perfect cup of tea as you can get.
This flavor is a limited edition flavor, and I really wish it were widely available year round. It is really a special and delicious tea, and it was worth every drop of caffeine! There are a few online shops selling this delicious flavor, and I can’t recommend it enough! It’s definitely my new favorite chai. Because of the vanilla, I only added a splash of coconut milk and no sweetener and it was still perfectly sweet and delicious. It’s also mildly spiced, so for anyone sensitive to spice this would be perfect!
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Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Twinnings
Description
A limited edition indulgent Chai Latte blending fragrant Indian spices with velvety vanilla from the new Loose Leaf Pyramid range. The resealable bag contains 12 loose leaf pyramid tea bags.
Ingredients: Black tea, vanilla, spice and syrup flavourings (26%).
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Red Chai from Steenberg’s Organics. . ..
I’m always super excited when I find Chai tea that is caffeine free. And when it’s made with rooibos or redbush tea it’s even better. Rooibos tea is so healthy, but drinking it plain isn’t always my favorite. But Chai spices definitely help mask the earthiness of plain rooibos. I brewed this tea and added a little raw sugar and a splash of coconut milk.
It’s a very mellow Chai, not spicy at all. This is the perfect tea for someone who isn’t a huge fan of spice. It’s a very soothing and warming chai, with all of the spices kind of blending together, nothing stands out or is too much.
Since this is caffeine free it’s also perfect to drink anytime of the day. It would be a really tasty after dinner tea.
I like that all of the ingredients including the spices are organic. This chai has redbush tea, cinnamon quills, cardamom pods, cloves, ginger, black pepper and lemongrass. Even though that seems like a lot of spices, as I mentioned it’s very mellow. I could still definitely taste the earthiness of the rooibos tea. So, if you like rooibos and chai, this is definitely the tea for you.
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Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Steenberg’s
Description
Steenbergs Organic Redbush Chai Tea combines with a delicious blend of Steenbergs organic spices with organic redbush tea to create our own wonderful organic redbush chai tea. You brew Steenbergs Organic Redbush Chai Tea in the same way as normal chai tea and can add sugar, honey or milk to taste.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Muskoka Chai from Pluck Teas. . . . .
It’s a gloomy day in the city. Rain all day keeping everything wet. High winds keeping everyone cold. The threat of snow looming. Perfect day for snuggling up in bed with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Alas, I had to get my butt to work so I sat in traffic and and then under the florescent lights of the office for what felt like forever. When I finally returned home, I wanted something special and a chai latte just seemed right. I mean, when done properly, a good tea latte is like a nice hug for your tastebuds.
This particular chai is a little bit different. Sure it has the typical cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and ginger. It also has some sneaky star anise which I wasn’t pleased about and a dash of black pepper which I think I am okay with. However, among all those traditional chai elements, Pluck stuck in a little bit of Canadian goodness by adding Muskoka cranberries to the mix. Like I said, I wanted something special and in theory this fit the bill.
I brewed this up in water, and topped it off with frothed skim milk and the end result is nice. I think this would have done better done the non-lazy way of steeping the tea in the milk on the stove, low and slow to really let the flavors sink in or even with a richer milk (skim can get a bit watery in lattes). As it is now, it is a little harsh. You expect creaminess but the tea really takes over. The ginger is strong in flavor, though not in spice, and the cardamom lurks somewhere in the middle. The star anise is nowhere to be found, which makes me happy, but if I am being honest, the cranberry is missing too and that is the whole reason I was drawn to this tea in the first place. One nice element is actually the pepper. I find at times it jumps out and really makes the other flavors, like that of the cinnamon, cloves, and other chai spices pop.
It’s an alright chai and I can see it doing well in the right conditions. However, it fails to deliver on the one ingredient that is supposed to make this stand out and that makes this tea disappointing for me. I shouldn’t have to search for the very ingredient this is named for.
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Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: Pluck Teas
Description
Dried Muskoka cranberries add an unexpected twist to this premium traditional Chai made with an organic Assam black tea, that also features whole cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Horizon Hot Ginger Green Chai from Teaoke. . . .
Every time I try a new Chai, I feel like a traitor to the last one I tried because it seems like I’m always discovering a new favorite. I guess I’m fickle when it comes to my Chai, but I truly do love them all!
I was super excited to try this Horizon Hot Ginger Green Chai because I am a sucker for ginger, and with a name like hot ginger it has to be good!
The first thing I noticed when the boiling water hit the tea is a wonderful spicy but also roast-y aroma. The smell filled my whole kitchen. And when I tasted the tea, it has an amazing spicy kick, but again this amazing roast-y flavor that I really, really love. It reminded me a little of coffee just in the depth of flavor.
This is definitely not your traditional Chai, but it is absolutely amazing! I want to drink this everyday for the rest of my life.
I imagine this would be a wonderful tea to have when you come home on a very cold day, it would warm you right up!!
This tea does have caffeine, but it’s low caffeine, only 25 milligrams per serving for those like me who try to watch their intake.
This is seriously outstanding tea. Such rich spicy flavor that just wakes your senses. This is of course, my new favorite Chai!
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Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Teaoke
Description
A bright & intense palate pleasing blend of ginger and chili pepper with a lemon zest… Heating up your senses while igniting your spirit.