It’s getting to be that time of year again when I crave warm tea with cozy spices like cinnamon and ginger. It’s nice to have a chai option that is also caffeine free as most are made with black tea.
The first thing I noticed about this tea is that although the usual chai spices definitely stand out, I can still taste the earthy Rooibos. I’ve had a few other chai rooibos blends and usually the spices kind of takeover.
I’m enjoying my delicious chai with a splash of coconut milk and a little brown sugar. All I had was brown sugar and it actually goes really well with the tea! This would be a wonderful dessert tea since it is caffeine. But it’s also a nice tea to have in the morning.
The spices help wake up your senses, and it’s a nice gentle way to bring on your day. This is also safe for those who don’t like really sharp, spicy Chai blends. This has flavor, but it’s definitely on the gentle side.
I really enjoyed this tea, and I love to have Chai in the winter. This will definitely be in my regular rotation. This tea is also organic, free of pesticides, and fair trade which makes it taste even better in my opinion!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: TopQualiTea
Description
Masala chai (“spiced tea”) is a beverage from the Indian subcontinent made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. By itself, chai is merely the generic word for tea in Hindi and many other languages around the world, and was adopted into British slang as “cha” or “char”. The added ginger and other spices give the Rooibos tea some warm and spicy taste nice in the cold evenings with milk and honey but also loved by many at any time of the day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Energy Chai from Hampstead Tea. . . .
“Organic Energy Chai” by Hampstead Tea was originally “BIOCHAI” (all caps). The original bag (which I am sampling here) touted the ingredient “biodynamic black tea leaves.”
They’ve since changed their branding to a more delicate branding scheme that involves a white background and no more claims of things being “biodynamic.” Which is sort of a relief, because when I see “BIOCHAI” or “biodynamic,” I ironically don’t think of something being biological at all. I think about things that are biologically enhanced, like a Terminator/Borg situation. Like this tea got taken over by nanobots.
This delicate, sweet tea doesn’t seem like it’s going to “harness your inner energy and bring the diva out in you!” I actually find this to be more soothing than HYPE. It’s just a tasty blend that is helping nudge me into wakefulness on this cloudy Monday.
Speaking of which, I definitely have “a case of the Mondays” today. I went to the gym, but all of my usual companions slept through it, which was lonely. So I watched YouTube videos of people painting while walking slowly on an incline on the treadmill. It was the saddest workout you’ve ever seen.
Which is not to say my workouts are usually zesty, but at least if people I know are there, I half-ass it instead of no-ass it.
This lackadaisical attitude toward fitness means I am the slowest, pant-iest drag on the group’s speed of all time.
This is why I am the group’s Resident Black Tea Drinker. It’s the only thing that will nudge me into the next gear. I’d just rather be drinking tea than hustling.
I’m sure you gals understand.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Description
Chai comes from India where Darjeeling Black Tea is blended with exotic herbs and spices to make luxurious,aromatic drink. Let it harnessIngredients:Black Tea, Ginger, Lemongrass, Peppercorns, Cardamom seeds and Cloves
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!
Here’s the scoop!
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!
Hojicha Chai from Eden Foods. . . . .
It’s been awhile since I’ve had Chai tea. Lately I’ve been drinking a lot of Tulsi herbal and ginger teas. I’m working on living a mostly caffeine free life, which can be a struggle at times.
I was excited to try this Hojicha Chai because it is made with green tea, which of course is lower in caffeine than black. After checking their website, I was pleased to learn that this teas is made from larger leaves that have begun to lose their caffeine strength! Total win! I could smell the spices through the packet, and they smelled divine. I could definitely smell star anise and cinnamon.
I brewed a cup and used a very small amount of sugar and some coconut milk and sipped happily away. It’s spicy without being too spicy, and naturally sweet. I actually think I could have had it with no sweetener. It also had a nice roasted flavor which you don’t always find in Chai teas. It added a richness and depth of flavor.
According to Eden Foods website, this tea has sixty seven percent less caffeine than coffee, so this is a delicious way to get a little caffeine without too much. The roasted flavor perfectly balances the spices, and it was a wonderful way to start my day!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Eden Foods
Description
Master blender acclaimed, “Innovating, breathtaking, this audacious blend combines familiar malty notes of Hojicha with exotic Indian spices. A classic revisited.” Chai, generic for tea in many south Asian countries, is usually made with black tea. This is made with EDEN Hojicha, roasted summer green tea leaves. Rich, smoky, deep flavor similar to that of black tea, but better. Antioxidant health benefits with 67% less than brewed coffee. Delicious plain, with Vanilla EDENSOY, Vanilla EDENSOY Extra, or with hot apple juice or cider. Spicy, warming, delightful. Quick and easy, environmentally appropriate tea bags. 
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Super Starling Enjoys A Hearty Chai from Choice Organic Teas. . . .
This tea comes in… a bag? A BAG? WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE TAKE ME FOR? A PEASANT?
(Just kidding. Great teas can come in bags.)
This chai has one of the heartiest, butchest bases I’ve ever had. It’s described as a “malty Assam” on Choice’s site, which I think is apt. That phrase is better than anything I would have typed on my own. What I would have typed is:
“This is a rugged-man base tea. Not smoky, like the Marlboro Man. More like Wolverine, after a long day of fighting villainy. He comes home to a dark, crusty bread he just eats whole, without fussy butter or knives.”
Yes, the two manliest men I can conjure up offhand are the Marlboro Man and Wolverine. After that, my brain supplies up John Cena, the Rock, and that hot werewolf from True Blood. (In case you were wondering. Which you most likely were not.)
While the tea’s in your mouth, you’re in Dude Land. As you swallow, the chai spices check in with you to see how your day’s going. This is, technically, a chai (cinnamon in black tea, guys), but I think it’s more of a black tea — with chai elements.
I could see grabbing a box of this and taking it traveling with you. Boxed tea is great on-the-go. I drag along a steeping ball on my vacations, along with a bunch of loose teas, and I worry that some TSA agent is going to think my tea is, well, NOT tea.
And then they’d call in the sniffer-dogs to check, and then — and this is the worst part — they would NOT LET ME PET THE SNIFFER DOG. My hand would reach toward that beagle/lab/Germie and they would be like “NO, YOU TEA PSYCHO. YOU CANNOT PET HIM. HE IS WORKING.”
And I’d cry in the middle of the Pittsburgh airport.
And I am an UGLY CRIER, squad. Pink face. Snot. Puffing up. The whole shebang.
So I guess what I’m TRYING TO SAY HERE is that 1) bagged teas have a time and place, and 2) this is a good example of one that I enjoyed.
See how I tied that digression in? I wasn’t sure it was going to be possible, especially when I got into the airport thing.
Hope you enjoyed this review, and this tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Choice Organic Teas
Description
Spice things up with this bold classic, featuring malty Assam tea from India’s Brahmaputra River Valley. We blend rich, robust black tea with masala spices for a spirited cup that warms your body and soul. It blends perfectly with milk and sweetener for an authentic cha
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!