Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
Based on a traditional Indian recipe, our chai is made with exotic organic spices from the East. Best enjoyed throughout the day as a creamy latte-style drink. Delicious both hot and iced.
Ingredients: Fairtrade black tea, Fairtrade root ginger, lemongrass, pepper, cardamom seeds and cloves
Taster’s Review:
This is a tasty chai. I really like the addition of lemongrass to this recipe, it adds a nice, citrus-y back drop to the strong black tea and spices.
The black tea is bold and astringent. It is strong enough to hold its own against the powerful spices of this blend without overwhelming them. It has a pleasant malty taste in the background … is this an Assam? I suspect it is (or at the very least, it is a blend of teas that includes Assam). It is very rich and flavorful. A very good base for these spices.
The spices are also quite bold and peppery. The ginger and pepper in this blend are the strongest components of the spice set, with the cardamom providing a warm background note. The cloves are a bit more powerful here than in a typical masala chai blend – this could be because there is no cinnamon to take the spotlight away from the cloves. It could also that because the chai has been very finely ground and the cloves have a better opportunity to express themselves with the fine grind.
The lemongrass here is a delicate flavor in comparison to the other flavors, but it is no less appreciated. As I said at the start of this review, the lemongrass offers a light citrus-y tone to the tea, and I find it to be a very pleasing note.
I drank my first cup of this extra strong (I used two teabags) with a little turbinado sugar to bring out the warmth and complexity in the spices. As it cooled, I noticed that the flavor of the cloves really seemed to pop and accented the citrus-y tones nicely. For my second cup, I made a chai latte, and I absolutely LOVE this as a chai latte! It was creamy and rich. A real treat! YUM!
Organic Darjeeling from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
Our signature, award-winning black tea from the Makaibari Estate in Darjeeling, India. A light, afternoon tea with muscatel and fruit tones.
Ingredients: Fairtrade black tea
Taster’s Review:
This is a really flavorful Darjeeling – and it’s a bagged tea!
Yes, I prefer loose leaf. But I have learned that not all bagged teas are inferior. This Darjeeling is a perfect example. Hampstead Tea is dedicated to providing only the finest quality teas, and they choose to package their teas with the same care that they use when selecting their organic, fair trade teas.
This Darjeeling offers a light, crisp muscatel flavor that seems to sparkle on the palate. It tastes of fruit and finishes dry and astringent, like a fine wine. The aftertaste is sweet and tastes like a sweet-tart currant.
The lightness of this tea makes it an ideal afternoon tea. I prefer it straight with no additions, but a little honey or agave nectar might be alright. Just don’t overdo it, or you might ruin the gentle sweetness that this tea already possesses. I wouldn’t recommend adding milk, I think it would overwhelm the delicious complexity of this tea.
It is easy to see why this Makaibari Estate Darjeeling is an award winner. It is an absolutely delightful Darjeeling.
Royal Camomile from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
A beautiful golden infusion made from prized sweetly scented camomile petals. Camomile relieves inflammation, soothes and relaxes.
Naturally caffeine free.
Ingredients: Fairtrade camomile flowers
Taster’s Review:
When I first opened the pouch of this tea bag, I was amazed at just how fragrant the chamomile was. Yes, I’ve smelled chamomile before, but, usually it is a much more subtle aroma than this. The scent here is so strong, much stronger than other bagged chamomiles that I’ve tried. Such a lovely fragrance – sweet and flowery. Beautiful.
And the bouquet is not the only unexpected thing about this tea – the flavor is very surprisingly good. I know that I have been harsh in the past about chamomile, especially bagged chamomile. But this bagged tisane is changing my beliefs about chamomile in a tea bag! This is lovely!
The flavor is light and flowery with a crisp apple-like note. It is a very soothing, comforting tisane – especially later in the evening when I’m getting ready for bedtime. Especially good with a drizzle of honey.
I do recommend steeping this (and all botanical teas) at a below boiling temperature. When the water is too hot, it really seems to destroy the flavor of the chamomile. I think this is one reason why I disliked chamomile so much in the past – because I was brewing at too high a temperature. Keep the temperature below boiling, and you too will be rewarded with a pale gold cup of tasty goodness!
Lime Green Tea from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
The tropical floral zest of lime is a sophisticated complement to our green tea. The classic citrus overtones are reminiscent of beachside evenings.
Ingredients: Fairtrade green tea, lime zest
Taster’s Review:
I am always just a little surprised when I come across a bagged tea that tastes great. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve tasted quite a few great tasting bagged teas, but, there is always some part of me with very low expectations when it comes to bagged tea.
This is definitely a great tasting bagged tea! The lime flavor is abundant but does not overwhelm the taste of the green tea. The green tea base is a light-bodied, fresh-tasting green tea with very little vegetative taste to it. It has a natural sweetness to it that offers a nice contrast to the tart and tangy flavor of lime.
The lime flavor is vibrant and refreshing. Very clean and bright in citrus flavor with a hint of floral note in the background. The flavor of this tea evokes images of walking through a citrus grove when its in bloom.
This is a delicious bagged tea that is just as convenient as it is tasty. And its organic and fair trade. Just one more thing to feel good about with Hampstead Tea!