Hope & Glory is a new company to me but this was a lovely introduction to their teas. While exploring their site, I noticed they had an interesting assortment of tea collections which see the teas sorted by certain characteristics. This particular tea is part of the Rajah Collection which is Hope & Glory’s collection of special and unique teas.
In keeping with the idea of “special and unique” I decided to do something new and different when I prepped this tea. I used a glass of skim milk and about 2-3 teaspoons of tea and heated it over the stove, bringing the milk to a boil and then dropping the heat and letting it simmer for 10 minutes. Alright, so maybe it isn’t that innovative a brewing technique, especially for a chai, but this method was new and different for me.
As I stood at the stove whisking away for the entire 15 minute process, all I could think was “this better be worth it” and now that I am sipping away at the tea I made, I think I can say it was. Normally I brew chai the same way I would a latte, by steeping it in boiled water and topping it with steamed milk. This honestly brought everything together much more harmoniously. As someone who doesn’t love chai, this is a drink I am really enjoying.
What stands out to me is the ginger. It isn’t contributing heat but there is a huge punch of ginger flavor that is providing an awesome contrast to the more sweeter flavors here such as the milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The cloves are also front and center, contributing another flavor punch while still feeling as though it mixes perfectly with the rest of the ingredients. Creamy and delightful, this tea has a whole lot going for it. As someone who finds spices in chai are often way off balance, this one is really doing it for me. Now I am wondering if that is the tea or the prep method? Either way I am glad I have some more of this sample left so I can have this again. It’s the perfect spicy/sweet treat to keep warm with on the cold evenings ahead.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Hope & Glory
Description
A full-bodied blend of organic Ceylon black tea and spices, Masala Chai derives from the Hindi literally meaning ‘mixed-spice tea’. Spices such as cardamom and cinnamon have been expertly blended to give a warming, rich blend of flavours and a sweet aroma.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Rooibos Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai
“Ready to savor in a moment” says the packaging, and it’s true: this tea is in a finely ground powder form, just mix it in your mug with hot water or milk and it’s ready to drink. I used the recommended ratio on the packaging, using a teaspoon of sweetener, and 50/50 hot water and hot (almond) milk. I used a stronger serving of the tea powder because I like my chai extra spicy. The powder is a rich, dark brown, smelling strongly of cloves and cinnamon. In the hot brew, the ginger brings its trademark heat and cardamom adds a pop of herbal warmth. It’s everything I want from a chai: the warm and spicy Christmas flavors, and since it’s rooibos, it’s decaf so I can drink it any time of day.
For future brewing, I would treat this like I do matcha, sifting the powder first for the smoothest blend, and whisking it to add a bit of foam on top. I always feel like it’s a challenge to get a chai spicy enough for my tastes, and this powdered tea style makes it easy to bring the heat. I might give this a try with hot water, no milk, and a slice of orange as an alternative brewing style. I just got a sample size of this tea to try it out, but I’ll have to order a full bag of rooibos masala chai from a Blue Lotus Chai sometime soon!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Red Rooibos (ground)
Where to Buy: Blue Lotus Chai
Description:
100% Certified organic and caffeine-free, our Rooibos Masala Chai appeals to a broad cross-section of customers. It has a similar taste profile to our Traditional Masala Chai, but with the delightful base of naturally sweet and nutty rooibos. Those who cannot or wish to not drink a caffeinated chai, can freely indulge in their favorite BLC drink.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
It’s Time To Get Your Chai On! Organic Masala Chai from Full Leaf Tea Company
Organic Masala Chai from Full Leaf Tea Company was my morning companion recently. I was looking for a straight-up chai. CHECK! Organic? That’s ALWAYS a PLUS! Check!!! Full, plump, and obvious ingredients to the eye? CHECK! I’d say this was a complete SCORE! But how does it TASTE? Let me tell you!
Organic Masala Chai from Full Leaf Tea Company uses Certified Organic Black Tea from India mixed with organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, and organic cloves. The traditional ingredients and spices you have come to grow and love in a chai, right? RIGHT!
It’s spicy, bold, and slightly sweet. It’s not the most intensely flavored chai I have ever tasted but it doesn’t disappoint that is for sure! It has a nice medium strength black tea base with medium strength spices to boot!
I found this to be completely satisfying on the recent cold wintery mornings here in the snowbelt. I think this is a chai that would please the masses!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: Full Leaf
Description
An absolute delight! Spicy, bold, and sweet all in the same cup! The finest ingredients have been brought together for this premium organic chai blend.
Certified Organic Black Tea from India is mixed with organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, and organic cloves.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Star Anise Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai
The snow is falling but I have nowhere I need to be so I am at home sipping teas and staying warm. I reached for this chai because nothing says warmth like standing by the stove to warm up a cup full of spices, except for maybe sipping that warm cup of spices wrapped in a fuzzy blanket on the couch but I digress. Anyways, I got my pot and whisk all ready to go so imagine my surprise when I opened this up and there was a powder mix inside. In fact, the hard piece I thought was a stick of cinnamon when I was holding the closed package was actually just a small wooden measuring spoon. Well, that certainly makes things easier. Plus, the package comes with directions so as per the instructions, I got my kettle boiling and topped about 1/2 a teaspoon of the powder mix with 8 oz of water, gave it a stir and filled the rest of my 16 oz mug with milk. I guess I will be getting to that blanket sooner that I expected.
The smell of chai spices is strong but what stands out above all else is the star anise. The scent fills the room, making me a little hesitant since I am not the biggest fan of star anise and my relationship with chais are timid at best. Bringing the mug closer to my mouth, the anise smell only got stronger so I knew that when I took that first sip that an anise punch was coming my way. I braced myself and was pretty surprised when I didn’t hate it. The star anise is certainly the most prominent flavor when you first taste this chai but as you let the flavors roll around you realize this is not a one-note treat. The star anise and milk provide a sweet creaminess that seamlessly blends with the sweetness of the cinnamon. In turn, the cinnamon bridges the gap between sweet and spice and gives way to a ginger kick, boosted by the spice of ground black pepper and the warmth of cloves, that lingers on your tongue long after the sip has finished. Nutmeg floats around the mix giving this just a little more depth while the black tea functions more as a stage on which the spices are the stars.
All in all, I can appreciate this as a pretty good chai. For those that enjoy star anise or licorice-type flavors, this is a great pick. It helps that this is also a quick and easy chai to whip up. However, for those who are more like me and don’t really enjoy that distinct star-anise flavor, this probably isn’t for you. With that in mind, Blue Lotus Chai offers a variety of other chai flavors that might catch your eye.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Masala Chai
Where to Buy: Blue Lotus Chai
Description
Our Star Anise Masala Chai is absolutely delicious! It has all of the signature BLC spices, with star anise contributing deep, but subtle licorice notes.
Ingredients: Naturally brewed and flash-dried black tea powder; 100% Certified Organic powdered spices: ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, star anise.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Masala Chai from Hope and Glory
I still remember my first Chai latte. It was love at first sip. And the spicier the better! Whether at a coffee shop or at home, I never imagined drinking Chai without some sort of plant milk, my favorite is coconut milk.
However, I am also a very impatient person, and I wanted to try this Masala Chai from Hope&Glory, and I have no plant milk. I was kind of scared to try this straight, because some Chai’s I’ve gad in the past are a bit sharp, and need something to tone it down a bit. But it was a cool and crisp morning, the type of morning where I like a cozy Chai.
First of all, the smell of this blend is amazing. I want to live in a field of this blend, and bathe in it. It smells of cinnamon and spice and everything nice that I want in a tea. I put one teaspoon of coconut sugar in my cup, and took my first sip. Smooth, spicy, clean and the perfect amount of everything. It’s spicy without being too sharp, and it tastes like real ingredients, real spices. It tastes like someone whipped it up personally for me.
I’m sad that I have none left. This is the perfect tea for the upcoming cooler months. This is what you want to come home to after a long day, or better yet this is how you want to start your day. This is by far my favorite Chai blend ever.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Hope and Glory
Description
A full-bodied blend of organic Ceylon black tea and spices, Masala Chai derives from the Hindi literally meaning ‘mixed-spice tea’. Spices such as cardamom and cinnamon have been expertly blended to give a warming, rich blend of flavours and a sweet aroma.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
