Chai Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Chai Description:
Thanks to LiberTEAS for the idea for this blend (and no, I’m certainly not calling her a witch of any sort; that’s just what this blend brings to mind for me). LiberTEAS wanted a smoky chai blend with some additional spices, so we blended some of our premium black tea base with some extra assam and some lapsang souchoung (smoked black tea), ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, star anise, nutmeg and cumin along with some organic flavors. The result is a smoky, spicy treat that will warm you to your bones. Get yours today while they last.
Learn more about this chai here.
Taster’s Review:
Now, that’s what I’m talking about!
If you read the above description, you’ll see that I suggested this blend to Frank (the Chief Zoomdweebie over at 52Teas), and he made it for me and called it Witches’ Brew Chai Blend. He wanted to express to me that he in no way thinks I’m a witch, but I told him that it’s perfectly fine to think of me as such … I’ve been called worse! Ha!
Back when I was still blending teas, I created what I considered the perfect chai. I know I’ve told that story more than once. I spent over a year creating the perfect recipe. One of the ingredients that was a MUST for my chai back then was cumin seeds. I would even toast the cumin seeds myself, because it brought out such a lovely, warm, slightly smoky flavor. And of course, I never forgot the nutmeg, which I would freshly grind into the blend.
But one spice that I didn’t include in my chai was star anise. This is a spice that I didn’t become well acquainted with until after my blending days were over, and I have since fallen in love with the spice and it’s licorice-y tones. So, when I asked Frank to create this blend, I wanted star anise in there too. I thought that the star anise, together with the other spices and the smoky notes of Lapsang Souchong … would be … absolutely divine.
And I was not wrong.
This is as perfect a chai as I’ve ever tasted since I stopped blending my own. I love the star anise, I love that it is warm and spicy and there is a complexity within the spice notes. I love that I taste the rich, malty tones of the black tea base, and the way the smoky notes of the Lapsang Souchong meld with the licorice-y notes and the spice.
I love it served non-latte with a teaspoon of turbinado sugar to enhance the spices. It also makes a spectacular latte, just add a splash of milk or cream. Do take care not to add too much milk to the cup because the dimensions of flavor from the spices is really amazing … and too much of the creamy stuff will obscure that. Just a little bit of milk or cream to bring out the malty notes of the Assam will make a devilishly delicious chai latte!
And this chai is perfectly named too. One taste of this and it evokes thoughts of a great big cauldron over a pit fire, and a cloaked figure stirring the brew. This is SO SO SO good.
This is, hands down, my favorite chai from 52Teas yet … and certainly one of my top favorite chai blends of all time! It’s awesome!
PRODUCT REVIEW: Chico Chai Strong Brew Chai Concentrate from Chico Chai
Product Information:
For more information, please visit: Chico Chai
Chico Chai Strong Brew Concentrate is available at these locations.
Product Description:
A strong, spicy brew, ready to be mixed with milk and heated or poured over ice, for a lovely “chai latte”. Chico Chai is brewed by hand, from whole, organic ingredients, and is less sweet than mainstream chai. Each batch is made without preservatives, it’s simply brewed and refrigerated for a unique, fresh flavor.
Taster’s Review:
It would seem that lately, I’m on a bit of a chai kick. What can I say? At the first signs of autumn, I’m all about the chai! Now, I’ll happily consume a chai latte any time of year, but, there’s just something that is so rewarding about sipping a chai – whether it be a latte or drinking it non-latte with just a dollop of honey to bring out those spices. Nothing tastes more like autumn to me than a good cup of chai!
Right now, I’m enjoying this Chico Chai Strong Brew Chai Concentrate from Chico Chai as a blended ice drink. I measured out a combination of ice cubes and milk into the blender, and then added the same amount (OK … I admit it, I eyeballed it!) of the strong brew concentrate into the blender and blended it until it was smooth.
Side note: My husband would like me to add that the blender is loud. Ha! When I operated the blender, he thought I was making a chocolate milkshake, and when I told him what it was and that I’d be writing a review, he asked me what I thought of my iced chai drink and I told him “It’s YUMMY!” and he says, there you go. That’s your review. Tell them that it’s yummy and your blender is loud.
I am really enjoying this blended drink. It is cool and frosty and refreshing – but with just enough spice to get my taste buds all warmed up and tingling! This is sweet – but not too sweet. (I didn’t add any additional sweeteners to this blended drink. It is just ice cubes, milk, and the strong brew concentrate.) I get a good amount of peppery taste from the ginger … ginger is the note that stands out strongest to me.
The peppery quality of the ginger is accentuated with black pepper, and as I continue to drink this icy beverage, I notice the pepper more and more. I also taste the rich black tea in the background. It’s a malty black tea – but in this concentrate, I notice no signs of bitterness. Just a good, strong black tea flavor.
I taste hints of nutmeg. Ohhh I like the nutmeg! There are notes of cinnamon, anise, clove and cardamom. It’s a warm and comforting combination of spices … and it’s spicy, but it’s not a spicy-hot kind of spicy. It’s more of a comforting warmth that I’d liken to curling up with a good book in front of a crackling fire … that warm, cozy feeling with just enough heat to keep the taste buds dancing.
As delicious as my blended ice beverage was … serving this hot with a 1:1 ratio with milk is even better! I actually used a combination of half 1% milk and half half & half (did that make sense? ha! that is to say that my milk was one part 1% milk and one part half & half!) because I don’t really care for 1% milk but my hubby prefers it. So, I usually doctor up the 1% with some half & half to give me that creamy taste that I miss with the 1% on its own.
Once I measured out the milk, I brought it to a steamy heat and then frothed it a little bit with my hand held frother. Then I added the strong brew chai concentrate and heated it up a little bit (Since this product is stored in the fridge and I wanted a hot latte) and frothed it a little more. The result is a creamy, frothy, deliciously decadent treat that is better than what I’ve ever had from any coffee house!
This is spicy and sweet … but not too sweet. Of all the sweetened chai concentrates that I’ve tasted, this is definitely one of the best ones (if not THE best) that I’ve tried because it isn’t overly sweet. This is JUST the way I like it. Sweet but not cloying. Spicy but my mouth isn’t on fire. The spices here are balanced in such a way that I can enjoy all the little nuances of the different spices as well as the black tea … and none of these are overwhelmed by the milk.
This is pure chai JOY! I’m absolutely loving this stuff!
Limón Black Iced Tea from Republic of Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Republic of Tea
Product Description:
Lively Limón – A blend of fine black tea from three Rainforest Alliance Certified™ tea gardens create a base with classic full-bodied flavor. Black Limón (dried lime from Guatemala) is added for a refreshingly tart, citrus accent.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
After having success with the Watermelon Mint Black Iced Tea from Republic of Tea, I decided to pick up another canister of these iced tea pouches from Republic of Tea the last time I visited Chuck’s Produce. The Limón Black Iced Tea was the most appealing of the flavors that they had available, so I grabbed a tin of it.
And I’m liking this a whole lot.
You might be wondering what a limón is. According to the description above (from Republic of Tea), a limón is a dried lime from Guatemala. The drying process seems to really bring out the tart notes of the lime, because this is a really tangy tasting tea.
I cold-brewed this in my half gallon pitcher filled with freshly filtered water, using 2 of the large tea pouches. After I finish off the first pitcher, I re-steep the pouches a second time using the hot brew method (brewing it in 1 quart of boiling water for 5 minutes, and then in a second quart of boiling water for 6 minutes.) The first half gallon (the cold-brewed preparation) is much more flavorful than the second, but both are very refreshing.
The brewed tea tastes a lot like … an Arnold Palmer! It tastes a lot like lemonade and black tea. It’s tart and tangy and citrus-y. It’s got a lot of citrus flavor. The black tea, in comparison, is a rather mild taste. But the glass of tea is very invigorating and refreshing and sure to knock out even the most powerful thirst.
I think I might like this better if the black tea flavor was a little stronger and the citrus notes were a little lighter. I like it as it is … but, as I said … I feel like I’m drinking an Arnold Palmer and not a flavored iced tea. An enjoyable iced tea.
Southern Boy Teas Pink Lemonade Flavored Black Iced Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Southern Boy Teas
Tea Description:
Created for National Iced Tea Day 2013! Our take on Pink lemonade incorporates the organic flavors of lemon, red grapefruit, a touch of raspberry and a smidgen of cotton candy for sweetness. blended with our premium organic black tea, this is pure refreshment.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I got this Pink Lemonade Flavored Black Iced Tea of the Southern Boys Teas collection from 52Teas, I thought it was an herbal tisane. That is … until I opened the pouch and smelled the tea and I realized that there was black tea in it. What I expected when I first ordered the tea was a “pinked” version of the Lemon-Aid tisane from 52Teas. But that isn’t what this is at all.
However, this is really very good! It is a very refreshing iced tea. The black tea base is brisk and is pleasantly flavored … it melds nicely with the notes of lemon and raspberry. The grapefruit comes through as I reach the mid-way point through my glass … that’s when I really notice it. It is nicely sweet – and yes, I do taste hints of the cotton candy too. It’s an interesting combination of flavors that come together in a really delicious way. It is sweet, a little bit tart, and very tasty!
The first time I tried this … I cold-brewed it. And of the many iced tea flavors that 52Teas sells under the Southern Boy Teas brand, this is the one tea that I don’t recommend cold brewing. The flavors just don’t come across as well or as deliciously when it’s been cold brewed – it kind of tastes “muddied” … not like mud, of course, but, the flavors aren’t crisp. The flavors are there, but, they aren’t as easily discerned as they are when the tea is hot brewed.
But … when hot brewed, this tea tastes really, really good. In fact, it may just displace the Lime Cola as my favorite iced tea flavor this year. This tea gets two enthusiastic thumbs up from me (although it does lose a couple of points because I like cold-brewing!)
Southern Boy Teas Pear Flavored Black Iced Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Premium Organic black tea with organic flavors. Each 14g teabag will make one 2-quart pitcher of DELICIOUS iced tea. Re-steep the teabag and you can get a full gallon out of each one.
Ingredients: Premium Organic Black Teas, Organic Flavors.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I brewed this Pear flavored black iced tea from the Southern Boy Teas collection from 52Teas the same way I’ve been brewing the other iced teas from SBT – cold brewing! I love cold brewing tea. It’s just so easy: just fill a half gallon pitcher full of freshly filtered water, add the tea pouch, cover the pitcher, and then let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, I have a half a gallon of delicious, refreshing iced tea.
But to get the most out of these tea bags … I’ve also been resteeping the pouch a second time. For the second infusion, I’ve been hot-brewing the tea – using 1 quart of boiling water and letting the tea steep for five minutes, and then steeping another 1 quart of boiling water for six minutes. The second half-gallon pitcher is not quite as strongly flavored as the first, but, I still enjoy it … and in the case of this Pear flavored black tea, I think I like the second half-gallon better than the cold-brewed half-gallon because it is not as strongly flavored.
The cold-brewed iced tea – the first infusion – was a pleasant enough tea. It tasted just fine. But, the pear essence was a little … off for me. It tasted like pear … but the fragrance was more like … a pear scented candle or a pear scented bar of soap than like something that I’d eat or drink. It had that kind of “fragrance-y” scent … like a body spray or a fruity perfume. It didn’t taste like that … but the aroma made it smell like that … so it wasn’t as pleasant an experience to drink when I found this perfume-y scent every time I lifted the glass to my lips.
But with the second infusion, the scent has subsided, and I find myself enjoying the flavors much more this time around. The pear is sweet and juicy tasting, while the black tea flavor is the dominant taste in the drink. This is sweet, tasty and very thirst-quenching. Nice.