Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Cultivated from the ancient protected tea tree forests of Yunan Province, China, this rare and exquisite black tea makes a full-bodied and earthy infusion with a rich and penetrating aroma heavy with age and collective wisdom. The flavor of this deep amber infusion is unlike any other black tea available. Truly exceptional.
Taster’s Review:
This really is an exceptional tea, and one that teaches me not to judge a tea by its dry leaf presentation. It doesn’t smell exceptional, and it doesn’t really look exceptional. But, the taste – is truly remarkable!
The tea has a very deep, rich taste to it. Earthy, yes. I can taste a Pu-erh kind of taste in the background that is earthy. But that isn’t all there is to this tea – and if it was, I probably wouldn’t consider it remarkable or exceptional, since I’m not a huge fan of Pu-erh. I like this much better than any Pu-erh I’ve ever tasted, because there is so much more to it.
The flavor has a hint of woody taste to it, like a damp wood. Consider an old growth forest just after it rains. The smell of the trees, the earth, the leaves and the air … that is what I taste in the background… that essence.
If I were to attempt to describe this tea, I would say it is somewhere between a Yunnan Pu-erh and an Assam tea. It has that maltiness that an Assam usually possesses, and there is the most exquisite underlying tone of sweetness too that is caramel-like. Sweet and almost creamy. The finish is sweet with a light, cleansing astringency. The aftertaste focuses on hints of earthiness as well as the deep sweetness that I am falling more in love with after each sip. This is really good.
An excellent black tea!
Om Chai from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Om Chai is a blend of black tea, cardamom, and cloves, which produces a simple, lightly spiced, and excellent afternoon tea. It is our simplest blend of spiced Indian tea; but in simplicity comes great flavor. Similar to the essential nature of [Om], our Om Chai captures the most basic fragrance, flavor, and essence of spiced chai, and thus enhances the spiced tea experience.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of the most mild chai blends I’ve ever had the opportunity to taste. The first thing that came to mind when I tasted it was “where’s the cinnamon and ginger?” – because this blend doesn’t have any cinnamon or ginger in it.
But that’s not a complaint. It is what it is – and this is a solid, delicious black tea blend with cardamom and cloves. It is not a typical chai, but that isn’t a bad thing. It is a really nice change of pace from the typical spicy chai.
The black tea base is strong and invigorating. It has a nice malty taste to it – and because of the malty character, I suspect it is Assam tea or possibly a blend of teas that includes Assam. Because of this, I caution you to not over-steep it, because it will become bitter (wanna guess how I know?)
But when steeped correctly, this is really delicious. I love the warm, woodsy-rustic tone that the spice brings to the cup. The spices are not overbearing – the flavor of the tea is the star of this show – and that’s quite alright.
It is a very soothing tea . . . calming! (Perfect to sip while listening to your child practice playing the recorder. I love her, I think she’s very talented, but, the recorder? Well, that’s another thing all together.)
This is delicious with a drizzle of honey and a splash of milk – and equally as nice without the additions. A very nice cup of chai, indeed!
Tulsi India Chai from Shanti Tea
Tea Type: Chai (Tulsi Base)
Where To Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Tulsi is one of India’s most sacred herbs, an aromatic shrub recognized for its spiritually uplifting and healing properties. The minty armoa and flavor of tulsi blends very naturally with chai spices in this remarkable herbal variation to traditional black masala chai.
Tasters Review:
Shanti has come out with TONS of new Tulsi Teas and Tisanes and I have been able to enjoy many of them. I think it’s great that they are offering a variety of flavors paired with this herb!
Basically if you were to take gentle Indian Spices and pair them with sweet basil – this is IT.
This is herbally and spicy and comforting. It’s one of the better herbal-tasting tisanes and chai tisane’s I have had. It doesn’t leave a funky aftertaste either – and that I am thankful for!
Breakfast Black Tulsi from Shanti Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea & Herbal (Tulsi)
Where To Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
BREAKFAST BLACK TULSI
Certified Organic Tulsi Tea Blend
Tin / Bio-bag: 60g / 50 cups • Sample: 5 to 7 cups
Tulsi is one of India’s most sacred herbs, an aromatic shrub recognized for its spiritually uplifting and healing properties. This tulsi blend is a great morning tea, combining the strong and malty taste of Asamese black tea with the spicy-minty aroma and flavor of high-quality tulsi.
Story
Tulsi or holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshiped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. Holy Basil has been called the “Incomparable One”, the “Queen of Herbs” and “The Elixir of Life.”
Tasters Review:
I’m getting to where I really like Tulsi when “done up nice” like this one!
The Tulsi is wonderful but I LOVE that it’s paired with the black tea! It’s almost the pioneers of both worlds coming together to collaborate.
Much like Run DMC & Aerosmith to come up with an awesome blend of flavors for a hit than will stand the test of time!
If you like Tulsi and you like black tea – this is darned tasty!The tulsi is like sweet basil herb and mint tied into one with the black tea for a nice TEA base! It’s Brilliant! I have been waiting for someone to do this and Shanti did! THANK YOU!
And now for a little RUN DMC and Aerosmith…
Champion Black from Shanti Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
A strong morning blend of Tanzanian and Asamese black teas, made exclusively for Clean Air Champions, a non-profit organization whose mission is improve air quality by working with respected athletes to educate and inspire Canadians to adopt practices and lifestyles that enhance both environmental and personal health. 10% of the proceeds from the Champion Green and Champion Black teas is contributed to this great organization.
Story
The Champions
Presently, over 120 active and/or retired National Team, Olympic and Paralympic athletes from across Canada have joined as members of Clean Air Champions. These Champions are passionate about our mission for a variety of reasons: many suffer from respiratory illnesses worsened by air pollution which can be detrimental to their athletic careers; others have careers in medicine or environmental sciences and understand the seriousness of the issues as they relate to human health and our planet; while others are concerned about the lack of exercise, and increasing rates of obesity and asthma in today’s youth. Whatever their reasons, these athletes are committed and passionate about helping to fulfill the mission of Clean Air Champions.
Learn more about the Clean Air Champions on their website.
Tasters Review:
Our friends at Shanti Tea in Canada have done it again! They’ve come out with another lovely black tea. And not just any black tea…a ChariTEA! (Read above if you haven’t already)
The aroma of this one is that of a fairly strong black tea.
What really made me swoon was the color after infusing it! It’s a gorgeous deep burgundy color. Both the aroma and the color of the tea made me crave the bold taste from there-on-out!
This is a bold – but not bitter – black tea. It’s malty yet well-rounded! The aftertaste is pretty pleasant, too. It’s smooth on the tongue and warms the heart! I really REALLY like this tea! This is one of those unflavored black teas that everyone should have on hand!