Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
When our good friend, LiberTEAs asked us to create this blend, I have to admit that I tabled the idea for a few days, thinking she would forget about it. We’ve created some unusual blends, but tomato, basil and black pepper? Really?
Well, she didn’t forget about it and though it took me a while, here we are.
We’ve blended our premium Indian black teas with just a tiny touch of lapsang souchoung, sun-dried tomatoes, black peppercorns, basil and natural flavors.
Taster’s Review:
How cool is this? Frank (the Chief Zoomdweebie at 52Teas) created this blend for me. And, as weird as the combination may sound to you, it actually tastes amazing.
When I originally requested this blend, I requested it as a green tea. My thought was “tomato salad in a teacup” – but then, when Frank contacted me, he suggested making it a black tea and adding just a touch of Lapsang Souchong (which is NOT a favorite tea of mine) to the blend for a smoky note. My first reaction was “eww, no” because that is my reaction when it comes to Lapsang Souchong. But, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I thought that as long as the Lapsang Souchong was added at just the right amount, the smoky note would be very complimentary to the flavors of tomato, basil and black pepper. So, I decided that the black tea would be a better choice… and now I have the most delicious “tomato soup in a teacup.”
The black tea base does not overwhelm here. One taster of this tea stated that the Lapsang Souchong overpowers the flavors of black pepper and basil, but, I don’t think this is true. I steeped my cup for just 2 1/2 minutes, added a pinch of sea salt (because you’ve gotta salt your tomatoes!) and the flavors are all represented well in the taste. And I must admit that the Lapsang Souchong does add a pleasing smoky note to the cup.
But you’re probably still thinking to yourself … what on earth possessed this person to request a tomato flavored tea? Am I right? Well, tomato is my favorite fruit. Yes, I know that it is used more like a vegetable than a fruit, but it is still – technically – a fruit. And I love tomatoes. Especially those just picked, sun-ripened, grown in the backyard tomatoes. YUM!
The tomato here is the strongest flavor. It doesn’t taste quite like the aforementioned fresh tomato, instead, it tastes like a cross between a fire-roasted tomato and a sun-dried tomato. But that’s OK, because I happen to love them too. And the flavor is so vibrant! The basil is quite a bit softer, but it lends a fresh note to the cup, and the pepper adds a kick of spice.
Together these flavors make up a delicious tea that, when paired with some crackers, make for a light and yummy lunch! THIS is the way tomato soup should taste!
Raspberry Ginger from Element Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White & Green
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Product Description:
Support your health with this popular blend of Pai Mu Tan White tea, Chinese Sencha Green tea, whole raspberries, and an array of healthful spices. Throw in the crisp taste of ginger, and you’ve got the perfect balance of delicious and palate pleasing flavors!
Brew Time: 3 – 4 minutesIngredients: Pai Mu Tan White Tea, China Green Tea Sencha, Jasmine, Ginger, Cardamom, Cloves, Raspberries, Black Pepper, Star-of-Anise
Taster’s Review:
Wow! This is really good. Very different. It is unlike any tea I’ve ever tasted … but then, it is very familiar too. Not familiar as in I’ve tried a blend like this before (because I haven’t!), but familiar as in each of the ingredients are ones that I enjoy when it comes to tea. But I would have never imagined them all put together like this!
The white tea is surprisingly strong in the midst of all these ingredients. It lends a fresh, sweet and creamy taste to the cup, while the green tea is more of an understated flavor – providing a solid base but without interfering with the other flavors.
The ginger is the strongest note, followed by the cardamom, cloves and star anise. The black pepper isn’t very prevalent in the sip but reveals itself in the aftertaste which is lightly peppery with a whisper of jasmine sweetness.
While the raspberry is not as strong a flavor – or perhaps “not as aggressive a flavor” would be the right terminology here – it still seems to be the star of the show. It’s the scene-stealer! The sweet yet tart berry weaves its way throughout the sip, never letting this taster forget that this is a raspberry flavored tea. It even has that pleasing tingle of tartness in the finish.
If you’re looking for something very out of the ordinary – try this blend! It blew me away!
Spice with Green Tea from Chai Wallah
Tea Type: Green Tea (Chai)
Where To Buy: Chai Wallah
Product Description:
A blend of our organic chai spice and Fair Trade Organic Green Tea from Korakundah Estate in Nilgiri, South India . Korakundah was the first certified organic Nilgiri tea estate. Established in 1922, the garden has become one of India’s premier organic tea estates. Tigers, panthers and elephant herds are spotted regularly in the dense jungle surrounding the pristine garden. This chai is smooth and mellow unlike its Assam stablemate! The chai should not be boiled or simmered but steeped otherwise it will reduce the beneficial properties of the tea.
Tasters Review:
I have to say…Spice with Green Tea from Chai Wallah surprised me!
The Green Tea is perfect! The Spice is intense but works very well! This is very flavorful and the primary spice that works the runway is the black pepper! It’s a true and natural black pepper taste and it’s spicy-good! The Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Cloves all seem to be together as the secondary flavor. Everything is very natural tasting and I really appreciate that about this green chai!
This is VERY Nicely done!
Spice With Black Tea from Chai Wallah
Tea Type: Chai
(Black Tea Base)
Where To Buy: Chai Wallah
Product Description:
Fair Trade Organic Rembeng Estate Assam tea is the perfect match for our organic chai spice. A robust full-bodied CTC tea favored by chai drinkers in India for its strong malty taste even when blended and boiled with chai spice, milk and sugar. Street chai wallahs tend to use the less expensive fannings or dust tea when making chai as they get a better return on their endeavors.
Tasters Review:
If you are looking for a mighty strong Chai – give this one a go-around! It’ll put hair on your chest! (As my Grandfather used to say). And if it’s not strong enough as-is this wonderful company has SPICE ONLY options available and you can add as much additional spice as you want! BUT…this is a mighty strong chai on it’s own tho!
Spice With Black Tea from Chai Wallah has a DARK Brown almost coffee brown-on the verge of-black look to it after infusing. The spices are in full force! I can taste the Black Pepper first then the Cardamom followed by the cloves, ginger and the Cinnamon isn’t as strong as the other ingredients.
This one I may try additives with…on future attempts. As many of you know I drink all of my teas plain – even Chai. I like to taste the natural “as-is” flavors without any interruptions. But after I do know what the natural taste tastes like I’m not opposed to experimenting!
Regardless…this is a strong and hearty chai! What a Wake-Up Call! Sturdy and loud! It sure has attitude…and I LIKE that!
Organic Masala Chai from Arbor Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Arbor Teas
Product Description:
This organic, Fair Trade Certified Masala Chai Black Tea blend has a medium-body with exceptionally spicy flavor and aroma. This formula is based on traditional South Indian blending methods and ingredients, using a CTC leaf grade (i.e. very small), as well as green cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Despite the CTC grade leaf, this tea has surprisingly little astringency. The clove and ginger really come through, with a wonderful cardamom finish. We recommend steeping a triple-strength cup of our Masala Chai Black Tea and serving it with honey and steamed milk.
Ingredients: organic black tea, organic green cardamom, organic cinnamon, organic ginger, organic clove, and organic black pepper.
Taster’s Review:
I have wanted to try this chai ever since I reviewed the Masala Chai Tea-Infused Chocolate Truffle from Arbor Teas in November. And I am so glad that I’ve finally had that opportunity, because this is a remarkable chai!
I steeped this just as recommended in the description from Arbor Teas (which I’ve included above), I steeped it extra strong and then served it with honey and steamed milk. AWESOME! This makes a delicious chai latte.
First of all, I must say that I love that Arbor Teas recognizes that we don’t all just want to stand at our stove and brew chai tea using the “stovetop” method. Get real! It’s messy and to be quite honest, there are few things that I enjoy heating on the stove less than milk.
This chai tastes great when brewed at a concentrated strength in water, and then adding steamed milk to the brewed liquor. It is a chai after my heart!
The black tea base is strong but not bitter and there is very little astringency to it. The astringency – what little there is – seems to nearly vanish after the steamed milk is added. It is smooth and rich tasting, and I love that it is organic too.
The spices are nicely balanced in this blend, and they stand up well to the addition of steamed milk. The pepper seems to stand out for me, but I like pepper in a chai so that’s not a problem. It doesn’t overwhelm the other spices – it just adds a new level of warmth to this chai which I am finding to be remarkably complex even with the addition of milk.
Delicious!