Steeped with a heaping tablespoon of leaves at 175 degrees in about 1 cup of water.
This tea was a new experience for me! I’ve tried lots of flavored green teas, but never one where the green tea was a substitute for black tea in a chai blend. As a result of this tea, I’ve realized how different these spices are outside of a conventional chai context and how much I take the black tea base for granted in chai blends!
As it steeps, I can detect a fragrance of spices; it smells like cinnamon and possibly cloves. The tea liquid isn’t very dark. In fact it’s only achieved a pale honeylike color after it’s finished steeping; it’s a little viscous, with nearly invisible flecks (of cinnamon, perhaps?) swimming in it.
The flavor is very different from any chai I’ve ever tried. The spices, instead of melding with a malty black tea flavor to form a rounded flavor profile, are instead mingling with the bright astringent green tea notes (grassy almost, but not much on the floral side that I can detect). This makes for a very focused flavor overall. It’s highly concentrated in the bright and forward flavor notes and not so much rounded out with the deeper tones that a black tea normally imparts to a chai (in my experience). It’s almost bitter, but then again, I may have oversteeped it a bit–I like my chais strong.
With milk, it’s suddenly not very strong at all. It still has spice flavors, but I’m really missing the black tea base here. And I know you aren’t really “supposed” to put milk in green tea, but that’s what I normally do with chai so I figured why not?
So to sum up, don’t expect this to taste like a more conventional chai! Instead, expect a bright, spicy, focused flavor that’s intended to be enjoyed alone or with a little sweetener; I recommend trying it without milk. In fact, I bet this would make a great iced tea!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Vahdam Teas
Description
A superior blend of fresh green tea from Darjeeling blended with choicest Indian spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove & Black Peppercorns. Discover a smooth fulfilling aroma of fresh greens with delicious undertones of raw spices in every sip. The liquor is bright green with an energizing aroma. A unique chai tea which can be served with or without milk.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cream Flavored Black by Adagio Teas
The first sip tastes of vanilla/cream flavor. It isn’t the same as having actual cream in your tea but it is very nice, kind of floral and sweet. The black tea base is great too; it’s quite solid, not bitter, but somewhat astringent and very flavorful. It’s good for mornings or afternoons, I’d say, but afternoons especially, in my opinion. Also it would probably be great for adding your own flavors (for example, some would consider this sacrilege, but I personally sometimes add a few drops of Ghirardelli chocolate syrup to my tea in place of sugar).
It turns out to be lovely with milk, as well; it makes the milk taste extra-creamy but still has a bit of vanilla-like flavor, or maybe that’s the tea base’s floral notes I’m catching now? Either way, it’s very pleasant, satisfying and comforting, and a flavor that I’m sure I’ll savor on many afternoons to come. <3
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Which comes first, the cream or the tea? If you’re not sure, don’t worry… neither are the English. However, its unanimously agreed that, whether you prefer your tea first, or cream first, this dairy-free cream flavored Ceylon black tea is a treat for your teacup! Sweet, inviting and warm, with a delicate creamy consistency and aroma of fresh black tea. Pleasantly brisk and very refreshing. Teatime calls…
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea by New Mexico Tea Company
I steeped 1 tsp of this tea for 5 minutes in one cup of 212 degree water.
First of all, this tea isn’t kidding when it says “hot.” (Currently I’m able to smell the cinnamon flavor through the bag even though I double-bagged it, which means it has about the same strength as lapsang souchong). You can clearly see, when measuring it out, that there’s tons of cinnamon in the tea leaves. The ingredients list says it has natural and artificial flavorings too in addition to the three types of cinnamon–I didn’t know three types of cinnamon existed, did you? But apparently they do.
I don’t expect the black tea flavor to come through much at all at this point (it’s probably mainly there for caffeination purposes.)
It smells very spicy and strong as it steeps, too. After steeping I note that it has a very dark brown, fittingly cinnamon-ish color. It’s nearly opaque and has bits of dissolved cinnamon in it. Kind of like spiced cider. It also has a faintly sweet cider-ish smell, but of coursewithout the apple factor. (It does have clove and orange peel though, so that’s probably why it’s reminding me of cider.)
First sip: yes, it’s quite sweet and quite spicy. And no, I don’t really taste the black tea at all. There is a slight bit of astringency, but I’m not sure if it’s from the black tea or from the cinnamon. There’s a depth to the cinnamon flavor, which is probably caused by the blending of several types of cinnamon and cinnamon flavorings to create a more complex cinnamon blend rather than one that hits you all in a wave. It’s very effective, too. It’s like a tour of cinnamon.
With milk (no sugar needed as it’s already sweet): it’s creamier, of course, but the milk doesn’t really bring out the tea flavor the way it usually does with spicy teas (though maybe there’s a hint). The excellently warming, invigorating cinnamon flavor isn’t quelled by the milk either, though perhaps a bit tamed.
Overall I like this tea very much both with milk and without. I’d recommend trying it both ways to see which strikes your fancy the most.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Company
Description
.This blend brews very sweet even though no sugar is added. A cinnamon lover’s dream come true. A combination of hearty Chinese and Indian black tea and invigorating cinnamon.
Many cinnamon teas have a watery aftertaste due to the use of low grade teas. The black tea here has the stamina to last through the whole tasting process
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Uper Fagu Darjeeling Oolong from The Tea Shelf
Hello Tea Friends.
Darjeeling, one of the most famous tea growing regions in the world. Did you know tea produced in Darjeeling accounts for 7% of India’s total tea export? I love to read and learn about tea, there are some great facts on Wikipedia.
The Tea Shelf specialise in Indian teas from source and offer worldwide shipping. A new company to me but they offer worldwide shipping and have a wonderful selection on their site.
The tea I will be reviewing is Uper Fagu Darjeeling Oolong. Upper Fagu is a tea garden in Gorubathan, Darjeeling. This particular sample was picked in 2015 and is second flush with a silver tip grade. I did my best to try and break it down and explain where this tea comes from and what it is. The packet contains a lot of this information which is always useful to buyers.
Opening the packet and scooping some leaves into my hands I see long, thin leaves with a natural curl in a mixture of earthy green and brown colours with plenty of silver tips. The tips also have downy hairs. They bare a dry and floral scent with a touch of fruit.
Steeping Parameters: 1 teaspoon of leaf, 95C water. 3 minute steep.
Once steeped the tea soup is golden and light in colour with a sweet floral and fruit scent, very similar to it’s raw form.
The first few sips reveal a clean, peony base with a nutty, dry aftertaste. Further sips reveal a crisp citrus with honeyed tones. It becomes thicker in strength as it cools slightly.
Overall it’s delicate but very refined. A very nice example of a Darjeeling Oolong. Very nice tea and a company I will certainly be looking at in the future if this is the calibre of what they have to offer.
Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Tea Shelf
Description: One of the finest oolongs of Darjeeling, the aroma of dark chocolate envelopes your senses, reminiscent of a cold wintry day! The leaves are springy with a moss like mosaic of silver and copper. The infusion shows another surprise with individual leaves clearly visible with bright colours of copper and mauve. The chocolate experience continues but now coupled with citrus and fruity notes. The steeped leaves give way to a gorgeous sunset yellow cup, which is very brisk on the palate with notes of jasmine and citrus, which linger on.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pekoe Breakfast Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House
Are you looking for that next good cup of breakfast tea to sip on? Perhaps Pekoe Breakfast Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House is that cuppa! It’s fairly bold, uplifting, energizing, and rich in both flavor and character.
Pekoe Breakfast Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House infuses to a marvelous shade of medium-dark brown with deep red-orange hue. It smells like a breakfast tea would. The flavor is bold, astringent-in-a-good-way, malty, woodsy all at the same time. It’s not an average tasting breakfast tea. Pekoe Breakfast Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House has that little ‘extra something’. Perhaps it’s their quality or ratio of Indian and Chinese Black Teas they used. It’s a blend of organic Assam, Nilgiri and China black teas, and Pekoe Breakfast.
I appreciate the fact that they went the extra mile with this wake-me-up of a tea. Pekoe Breakfast Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House is something I can see myself keeping as a go-to tea for mornings and friends!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description: Perfect for when you’re up at dawn for a run or readying for another busy day, sip on our signature organic loose leaf black tea that provides uplifting energy in a smooth and malty cup.
An inspiring way to start your day, our organic loose leaf black tea is the perfect breakfast tea. A blend of organic Assam, Nilgiri and China black teas, Pekoe Breakfast tea nourishes, enriches and enlivens mind, body, and spirit. A great tea for runners, athletes, and early morning risers.
We recommend serving hot with a milk and sweetener of your choice.
Ingredients: Organic tea blend of Indian and Chinese black teas.
BREW TIP for Black Teas:
Water Temperature: Boiling
Brew Time: 3 – 5 minutes
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
