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!
Indian Masala Chai from Storehouse Tea. . . .
Indian Masala Chai. I have had a number of them. But Indian Masala Chai from Storehouse Tea is something to put on your most beloved tea shelf! It’s not TOO spicy but the spice seems JUST RIGHT for my palate and perhaps for yours, too! There is a certain amount of SMOOTHNESS that comes along with this one, too! Mysterious but NOT unheard of. It’s ALMOST like it has a HINT of vanilla or cream in there but it doesn’t!
As a matter of fact the ingredients in this loose leaf chai include Fair Trade Organic black tea leaves, Organic green cardamom, and Organic cinnamon, Organic ginger, and Organic clove, Organic whole pod cardamom and Organic Black Pepper.
I’m not sure how they did it but they did! There is that bit of smoothness – or creaminess – that helps round everything out in this chai! It’s a glorious thing, really!
Storehouse Tea says their Indian Masala Chai is a robust and classic full flavored black tea blended with traditional whole Indian Masala spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove. They also say this tea is bold and stimulating. I would agree!
Finally they say that Masala Chai should be brewed strong and served sweet with milk when hot or pour it over ice as a chilled Chai tea latte. This is where I differ. But that is the beauty of tea. We have choices – differences – preferences – favorites – habits – and ways of doing things that make it our own. I, for one, had this chai straight-up with nothing added and loved it just as much as the next person! I raise my cup to you – Storehouse Teas! Another fantastic offering!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Storehouse Tea
Description
A robust and classic full flavored black tea blended with traditional whole Indian Masala spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove, this tea is bold and stimulating. Masala Chai should be brewed strong and served sweet with milk when hot or pour it over ice as a chilled Chai tea latte. Black teas have shown impressive cholesterol lowering abilities
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Hillary Enjoys A Cuppa Chocolate Chai From California Tea House. . . .
I’ve mentioned at least a million times that I love Chai tea. It’s one of my favorite teas ever. When I saw the words chocolate and chai together, my heart skipped a beat. Chocolate is really the only thing that can make chai better in my opinion.
I could smell the chocolate and spices through the bag and it just made me want a cup right away.
This is an herbal chai, so no caffeine which makes me super happy, and makes this a suitable tea for any time of the day or night. I brewed myself a cup, and the first thing I noticed when the hot water hit the tea is that it smelled like spicy hot chocolate. Yum.
I added a little coconut milk and a little coconut sugar and it was perfect. It tastes rich and chocolate-y with a definite spicy kick. I could really taste the peppercorns and ginger. It’s got both cocoa nibs and white chocolate pieces, so it’s double the chocolate flavor!
Since this is caffeine free, it would be a delicious dessert tea for all the chocolate lovers out there. It’s a great warming tea with all the wonderful spices. This is a really decadent chai and I really love it. It’s like if chai and hot chocolate met, fell in love and had a delicious baby
When you see the tea itself, it’s beautiful, full of chocolate pieces and cardamom pieces that you can actually see. I say it all the time, but this tea is definitely added to my list of favorite Chai teas!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Description
Do you like Chocolate Tea? This is hot, spicy Chocolate Chai herbal tea… need we say more? Here’s the more: We used USDA Organic cocoa nibs, white chocolate pieces, orange peels, chicory root pieces, cardamom blooms, fresh-cut ginger root, whole cloves and peppercorns. Perfect as is or if you’re really getting frisky, add some milk and sugar. Buy Chocolate Tea with our 100% satisfaction guarantee
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Waking Up With A Strong Cuppa Chai from Chai Safari. . . . .
Assam Masala Chai from Chai Safari. Rarely do I need to step back and have multiple go-arounds with a tea before I come to a conclusion of how I feel about it. But this was in that rare group of teas that I had to put in that basket.
I literally couldn’t BELIEVE just how strong this chai was when I tasted it! I thought maybe I used way too much of the loose leaf. That isn’t unusual for me – because I LOVE a really LOUD tea – so I tend to double the amount of loose leaf and cut the steep/infusion time in half. Word to the wise…YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THAT WITH THIS CHAI! You don’t even have to do that with this chai if you think you should! Seriously! It’s peppy enough on it’s own! Low and Slow here people! Low and Slow! Use the suggested amount of loose at the appropriate time and ENJOY! No need to over shoot! It’s EXTREMELY SPICY on it’s own! If this isn’t the spiciest chai I have had – it’ HAS to be up there!
The Assam is strong but the chai spices are even stronger! It infuses to a VERY dark cup with EXTREME aroma to match! This chai isn’t for the wimps, the wusses, and the faint of heart! This is for the seasoned chai crowd! It’s for the bold and the strong! It’s for the durable and daring! If this chai sounds like your cup of tea – I know you will enjoy it!
It was a surprise for me – it opened my eyes and my senses! I’m proud to be among those who have been awakened by Assam Masala Chai from Chai Safari!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Chai Safari
Description
The Robust CTC from Assam is even more perfect with the savoury taste it offers with the combination of Ginger, Cloves and Black Pepper. The ginger and back pepper provide the strong base of spice in the tea where as the cloves give a distinct flavour and aroma to it. Its as close as one can get to having summer in a bowl. This drink is also an amazing combination for ailing cold, headaches and sore throat.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Winter Cabin Chai from 52Teas. . . . .
Ahhhhh! A Black Tea/Honeybush Blend from 52 Teas? HECK YEAH – I’m excited!
I’m excited for Winter Cabin Chai from 52 Tea for many reasons…one…because I was getting low on spicy black teas…two…because it’s a blended black tea and honeybush base…three…it’s a flavored chai…and four…it contains marshmallow root! The marshmallow root is GLORIOUS! It’s a natural, vegan ingredient that gives it the delicious marshmallow aroma and taste without the gelatin based junk food that you buy in stores!
It’s spicy because of the traditional chai-like spices but it also has a sweetness to it, too! The vanilla provides a creamy-smooth end note and walks hand-in-hand with the spices for the perfect yin and yang.
This was so nicely done and so impressive that I was able to get 2 solid infusions out of it. The spices are strong and the vanilla and marshmallow are sweet and smooth. The honeybush helps sweeten it too. The black tea is a medium strength black tea and it’s tasty!
I’m liking everything about this flavored chai! The only thing I won’t like is when my stash is gone.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
I’m not exactly sure how to explain my inspiration behind this tea except to say that I wanted to create something that evoked thoughts of a little cabin out in the woods during a winter snowstorm. Inside the cabin, it’s warm and toasty, there’s a fire cracking in the fireplace and you’re – yes you! Not me, I’d prefer no snowstorm please. Since I’m the one writing the story, you’ll be the character in the story, m-kay? You’re curled up in front of the fireplace, wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket and you’re roasting marshmallows. I wanted a chai that captured that story.
I wanted something warm and spicy but also sweet and toasty. Something that hints of slightly charred marshmallows while still letting you know that it’s a chai you’re sipping. I wanted the spices to be in the forefront but not so aggressive that the delightful roasted marshmallow flavor is overpowered.
And I think I’ve accomplished what I set out to do – try it yourself and see if you agree!
Large size is approximately 50g
organic ingredients: black teas, honeybush, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, black pepper, nutmeg, marshmallow root, vanilla bean and natural flavors.