There’s something magical about chai. I’m pretty sure it’s not just me– while chai was technically the first tea I ever REALLY loved, ask any tea lover and they’ll tell you that there are just about as many iterations of chai as there are tea drinkers to imbibe them. FUN FACT, actually– did you know that “chai” actually translates to simply “tea” in many languages? So while we may think of chai as the milky, spiced treat that we’ve grown accustomed to as Westerners, its roots go far deeper than your corner coffeehouse’s standard tea offerings.
But I digress. I was particularly pumped when I saw this Muskoka Chai blend from Pluck show up in my tea samples. With visible dried cranberries, big, spicy cardamom pods, and boasting a whole host of spices and a blend of licorice + black tea, I was sure this one would have been made for me. Brewed as a latte (how I usually prefer my spiced chai), I’ll be honest: I was a little bummed. As a traditional, spicy chai? It was great, and hit all my expectations. But with the interesting additions, I was sure this particular iteration (cranberries! licorice!) of my favorite beverage would be just a little more special, and well, reader– unfortunately it was not.
If you’re looking for a standard chai for introducing your newbie-tea-friends to the glorious treat that is a chai latte, look no further. But if chai 2.0 is what you’re searching for, I’d pass on this one in search of something else.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
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!
Rose Chai from Tea Dude. . . . . .
This is a tasty chai, but I can’t taste the rose.
Which totally stresses me out, guys.
I want to be like “the rose notes are a pink rose, first bloom of spring, a tender, easy rose, like the kind you buy for a fresh love.”
Or perhaps “this rose is a sultry red, the color of midnight kisses and lipstick on the collar. It’s the last wisp of your lover’s perfume on your clothes as you drive away into the shuddering rain, alone.”
But I can’t taste that.
I’m getting a lot of spices. Which is totally what a chai should be — a violent slam to the face of cinnamon and its squad. So crazy-spiced that you’ve gotta cut it with vanilla almond milk to handle it.
A rugged, full-throttle, roadrunner-speed lightning-streak from your tongue to your stomach. Boom.
Your eyes widen a little wider and you realize that you had been tired all day — and now you’re awake.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Tea Dude
Description
Chai with a hint of Rose Hip. Nicely balanced flavor. Great hot or cold. Use approximately 1 tsp. per cup. Steep until desired strength.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Apple Chai from Adagio Tea
This tastes spot-on like spiced apple cider. It tastes precisely like something one would buy at a farmer’s market from an Amish person. You could imagine them hand-mashing it, mulling it, and dropping in a dallop of cinnamon. Totally real ingredients, all the indulgence, with none (or almost none) of the calories.
You’d then carry your cup of this cider into a pumpkin patch, with your partner, who wants to “share” it with you. But really, s/he wants to drink 75% and not hold their own cup. Then, when it’s drunk down, you didn’t get enough (there is NEVER ENOUGH of something so tasty). AND you’re left holding an empty cup in your hand and no trash can.
In vengeance, you make them carry the pumpkin in line to the weighing station, and then make them pull the goop out of the pumpkin’s head at home while you drink wine and watch reality TV.
You insist on a “cute” pumpkin this year instead of an “elaborate” pumpkin.
You get your way. Because you gave them some of your cider (or tea that tastes like cider, in this instance), and it was the bomb.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Our Spiced Apple Chai features the timeless, comforting combination of apples and spice. A lively blend of black tea, classic spices from Indian Masala Chai and bright notes of crisp apple. Juicy and pleasantly sweet, like warm applesauce, with a clean, refreshing texture. We suggest two heaping teaspoons per 8 oz cup. Sugar, cream or soy if desired
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
It’s Time To Get Your Chai On! Organic Masala Chai from Full Leaf Tea Company
Organic Masala Chai from Full Leaf Tea Company was my morning companion recently. I was looking for a straight-up chai. CHECK! Organic? That’s ALWAYS a PLUS! Check!!! Full, plump, and obvious ingredients to the eye? CHECK! I’d say this was a complete SCORE! But how does it TASTE? Let me tell you!
Organic Masala Chai from Full Leaf Tea Company uses Certified Organic Black Tea from India mixed with organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, and organic cloves. The traditional ingredients and spices you have come to grow and love in a chai, right? RIGHT!
It’s spicy, bold, and slightly sweet. It’s not the most intensely flavored chai I have ever tasted but it doesn’t disappoint that is for sure! It has a nice medium strength black tea base with medium strength spices to boot!
I found this to be completely satisfying on the recent cold wintery mornings here in the snowbelt. I think this is a chai that would please the masses!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: Full Leaf
Description
An absolute delight! Spicy, bold, and sweet all in the same cup! The finest ingredients have been brought together for this premium organic chai blend.
Certified Organic Black Tea from India is mixed with organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, and organic cloves.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
