“Ready to savor in a moment” says the packaging, and it’s true: this tea is in a finely ground powder form, just mix it in your mug with hot water or milk and it’s ready to drink. I used the recommended ratio on the packaging, using a teaspoon of sweetener, and 50/50 hot water and hot (almond) milk. I used a stronger serving of the tea powder because I like my chai extra spicy. The powder is a rich, dark brown, smelling strongly of cloves and cinnamon. In the hot brew, the ginger brings its trademark heat and cardamom adds a pop of herbal warmth. It’s everything I want from a chai: the warm and spicy Christmas flavors, and since it’s rooibos, it’s decaf so I can drink it any time of day.
For future brewing, I would treat this like I do matcha, sifting the powder first for the smoothest blend, and whisking it to add a bit of foam on top. I always feel like it’s a challenge to get a chai spicy enough for my tastes, and this powdered tea style makes it easy to bring the heat. I might give this a try with hot water, no milk, and a slice of orange as an alternative brewing style. I just got a sample size of this tea to try it out, but I’ll have to order a full bag of rooibos masala chai from a Blue Lotus Chai sometime soon!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Red Rooibos (ground)
Where to Buy: Blue Lotus Chai
Description:
100% Certified organic and caffeine-free, our Rooibos Masala Chai appeals to a broad cross-section of customers. It has a similar taste profile to our Traditional Masala Chai, but with the delightful base of naturally sweet and nutty rooibos. Those who cannot or wish to not drink a caffeinated chai, can freely indulge in their favorite BLC drink.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke. . . . .
If you like Rooibos based Chai’s you will most likely enjoy Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke. I recently sipped on this one chilly evening. The spices found in Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke aren’t overly spicy and the taste was a bit heavier on the Rooibos than I was thinking it would be.
I really enjoyed the hints of orange that seemed to be pretty even-steven with the other spices found in Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke. Rooibos, Orange Peel, Cinnamon, Licorice Root, Black Pepper, Clove, Natural Orange, and Cinnamon Flavors are what makes Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke…well…Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke!
I wasn’t really able to pick up on the Licorice Root but to be honest I’m totally ok with that. I don’t think a more intense Licorice flavor would have worked well here. So either they used the RIGHT amount or I just couldn’t taste it but either way I was COOL with it. Outpost Orange Spice Rooibos Chai from Teaoke was WARMING, sweet, and slightly citrus. Not a bad way to end an evening!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Teaoke
Description
A tangy & tranquil blend of orange peel and sweet cinnamon with a hint of heat… Just a sip away to your peaceful retreat.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Macchiato Dream Rooibos Blend from Steeped Tea. . . . .
“OK, cats, throw your mittens round your kittens. Away we go!” It’s time for a wild ride with Macchiato Dream Rooibos Tea from Steeped Tea and if you can name the movie this quote came from you get 3 gold stars for the day!
Macchiato Dream Rooibos Tea from Steeped Tea contains Red Rooibos, cocoa bean bits, coffee beans, and flavoring. It smells like coffee and rooibos and it looks like a rooibos tisane color once infused, too!
The flavor is a hefty combo of coffee, sweet rooibos, and cocoa. If you are switching from coffee to tea or want to combine your coffee and tea flavors this is ideal! Sure it contains caffeine but I’m not afraid. Macchiato Dream Rooibos Tea from Steeped Tea takes you on a wild ride that’s for sure! I drank this straight-up but I’m betting it would work well with your favorite milk or non-dairy milk alternative to bring the flavor to another level!
BAM! I’m ready to face the day! A mighty fine flavored Red Rooibos! Macchiato Dream Rooibos Tea from Steeped Tea!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Steeped Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Horchata Rooibos from Old Barrel Tea Co. . . . .
IBack in my single girl days, three important facts prevailed: I lived with one of my bffs (thus, hijinks often ensued), we ate a lot of Mexican food, and we watched a lot– A LOT of Downton Abbey. For the purposes of this story, only the first two are applicable. But still. One night, we were craving tostadas something fierce, so we ordered dinner from our favorite local taqueria. On a whim, we added a to-go order of Horchata to our meal, thinking we’d just get a few cups’ full.
Upon picking up, we were greeted with our brown bag of food… and a literal giant Sno-Cone jug filled with horchata. Well then. Apparently if this was the best way to transport our creamy, spiced beverage home with our tostadas, who were we to say no?
As soon as I sniffed the loose leaf in my bag of Old Barrel’s horchata rooibos, I was immediately transported back to that delicious (and slightly confusing) memory. The dry scent is spot-on creamy vanilla and warm cinnamon. Brewed, it’s even better– absolutely none of the medicinal bitterness that can sometimes accompany a rooibos, and it’s made even more delicious and authentic by the addition of some cream and a touch of honey.
Would I drink a Sno-Cone jug sized cup of this tea? Probably definitely yes. Although I think I’ll just stick to a tea cup for now– but it would taste great with tostadas.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Old Barrel Tea and Spice
Description
Vanilla rooibos with cinnamon. Delicious with a splash of cream and sugar. Rooibos is caffeine free but you can try Horchata Oolong if you prefer something caffeinated!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Ginger Bread Man by Bruu Tea
Hello tea friends!
With Christmas almost here and the cold weather set in I’m drawn to the festive teas. This one was from my late November tea club box and I’m only just getting around to trying it.
Ingredients: Rooibos, Almond Pieces, Pistachios, Orange Peel, Coriander, Flavouring, Pink Peppercorn.
Opening the packet I am drawn in by the scent of ginger biscuits. It’s the most ginger biscuity thing I have ever smelt that was not actually ginger biscuits. It’s incredible! Ginger with baked bread and sugar but also a touch of spice.
Steeping instructions: 1tsp // 100°C // 3-5 mins
Once steeped the tea is golden red in colour and bares a sweet yet spicy ginger biscuit and Rooibos scent. Very similar to that of the raw scent.
The first few sips reveal a very sweet and gingery note that lingers in the after taste. When I say ginger it’s more like a ginger candy than raw ginger, sometimes blends are too much on the ginger front but this is such a sweet ginger and it’s very nice. Very biscuit like! Also a touch of dryness in the after taste.
After those initial first few sips it remains sweet and with a touch of actual Rooibos flavour with a creamy orange and ginger and peppercorn spice. The whole blend was well done, it doesn’t taste too much like Rooibos at all which is favourable with me.
I can’t say much other than it tastes like sweet and creamy ginger biscuits with a dry after taste. It truly does.
Bruu Tea have done some good blends but this may be my favourite so far. It’s very delightful and festive.
Until next time, Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos blend
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea
Description:
The rich, naturally woody taste of rooibos is already a perfect treat for cold days, but the added tastes of gingerbread and orange in this blend allow you to truly spoil yourself. Caffeine-free and incredibly festive, this decorative infusion makes a wonderful gift – for others or yourself!
