Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Butiki Teas
Product Description:
This chai is grown in South India and contains cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and pepper for an exotic flavor that has a hint of earthiness.
Taster’s Review:
This is a delicious chai blend that has a very smooth, rich taste to it.
The aroma of the dry leaf is very pleasant … it smells like a spice shop! The cinnamon and ginger are most prevalent, but the cardamom and cloves make their presence known too. The pepper is not quite as strong, but, it’s there too!
The flavor of the fine CTC black tea base is vibrant. BOLD! It definitely has an edge to it. Not bitter (but would become bitter, I imagine, if left to steep too long), but certainly strong and stout. There is some malty tones to the tea as well, which makes me think that this is an Assam base, or at least a blend that includes Assam. It might also be a Nilgiri, but, it tastes a bit more like Assam to me. Either way, it is a delicious, hefty base with some real gusto!
And that gusto is necessary with a blend of spices like this tea has. The spices are robust. The ginger really shines through, while the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves seem to even things out a bit so that the ginger doesn’t become too overwhelming. The pepper adds a delightful kick to the cup.
I brewed this my traditional method, which is: steeped strong (using extra leaf) with boiling water, in my teapot for 4 minutes and then I strain it. I served it with steamed, frothed milk and honey to make a delicious, satisfying latte.
I think that this blend would do equally well (or perhaps even better) using the stovetop method with milk or a milk/water combination. Of course, you can just serve it straight, but, what fun is that? Chai is meant to latte!
This is the first tea that I’ve tried from Butiki Teas and it is a good one! I recommend it to all the chai fans out there – you may just find a new staple for your tea shelf!
Chad’s Original Black Chai from Chad’s Chai and Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Chad’s Chai and Tea Company
Product Description:
This magical blend of tea and aromatic spices will carry you away to exotic lands. Crafted in true India-style,this Masala chai is the best you will find anywhere, at least on this side of the world!
Ingredients: Full leaf Indian Black Tea, Organic Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Clove, Organic Chili Pepper, Organic Ginger, Star Anise, Organic Cardamom.
Taster’s Review:
This is a very nice, even-tempered chai tea. It has a pleasantly warm, spiced tone to it without being too spicy. I did expect it to be a bit spicier than it is, actually, what with the presence of Chili Pepper in the ingredient list. But, the Chili Pepper is more of a background note and does not overwhelm the cup.
That being said, the Chili Pepper flavor does develop as I continue to sip on this tea. At the start, there is very little Chili Pepper flavor, and by mid-cup, the I can feel the Chili Pepper on the sides of my mouth and on my tongue. It is still not at a hot or uncomfortable level, but it is more than I had experienced at the start.
What I like best about this particular chai is the Star Anise. This is not the only chai that I’ve tasted with Star Anise, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I just happen to like the way the Star Anise expresses itself here. It doesn’t have a strong or sharp licorice flavor, it is a sweet hint of licorice that sort of comes and goes throughout the sip. Very nice.
This tea also has a somewhat surprising note of pumpkin that presents itself in the aroma of the dry leaf as well as the brewed liquor. The pumpkin essence is also tasted slightly in the cup, it is not a strong essence, but I can taste the distinct squash notes of pumpkin! It’s surprising but quite good.
The other spices of this blend are very well balanced. I can taste notes of cinnamon, clove, ginger, black pepper and cardamom, but they do not seem to be in competition with each other. They provide a very even base of spice that is warm and inviting. Delicious!
This is a very good masala chai blend. I enjoyed it with a dollop of honey and no milk – but it is equally as good served latte-style with a splash of milk.
Spiced Masala Chai from Mark T. Wendell
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Mark T. Wendell
Company Description:
We are pleased to offer this uplifting, full-bodied blend of India black tea with masala, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and cardamom. A traditional Indian offering that is often served with plenty of milk to create a delicious, spicy Chai.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I’m quite biased when it comes to masala chai blends. That being said, this is a delicious masala chai, and I’m really enjoying it.
Although the ingredient list for this tea seems somewhat simple compared to some other masala chai blends, it has a very nice balance of flavors. This skillful blend of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom is very much in harmony – it is not too spicy, it is not too hot from the cinnamon, it is not too peppery from the ginger, nor is it too zesty from the cardamom. Each of these ingredients is present and accounted for in the flavor presentation, and there is no power struggle to overwhelm the cup.
I suspect the addition of vanilla to this blend has something to do with this harmonious flavor. It has a very enjoyable smoothness to it – a hint of creamy sweetness. It, too, is not an overpowering flavor; rather, it is very subtle.
The black tea base is also noteworthy in this blend, it provides an even flavor and texture that is not too mellow – it has a pleasant briskness to it that offers a nice contrast to the warm spices and smooth vanilla taste.
I would recommend this to the tea drinker looking for a chai that is not overwhelmingly spicy. While I enjoyed my cup of this hot with just a little honey (come on, you’ve gotta have honey with your chai, right?) as my cup cooled I noticed that the flavors stood strong – making this an excellent choice for iced masala chai. I’ve also enjoyed this chai as a latte, and it’s so good! While the steamed milk does mute the spices slightly, the milk does bring out the vanilla and elevates this tea to a very creamy, decadent treat!