Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Chai (Spice Melangé)
Where to Buy: Chai-Wallah’s
Product Description:
Create your favorite chai drinks by buying your own loose tea(s) and mix with our Spice Only (instructions on rear of packet), or use the spice for a caffeine free cup of chai, make a concentrate for iced chai or add some kick to hot chocolate. Be sure to check out our recipe section for other uses.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve used this Spice Only blend on several occasions and in several different ways. It is one of the more versatile products in my tea cupboard! The spices taste fresh and robust, and can help add that chai kick to just about anything!
The first time I used it, I was making a spiced peach jam. My husband brought home a big box of peaches at the end of the season, and I knew that there was no way we’d be able to eat them all before they went bad. I mean, we love peaches in this house, but, it was a lot of peaches! So, I made a concentrated batch of tisane using hot water and this Chai Spice Only blend, allowing it to steep for about 10 minutes before straining and adding it to a pan filled with peeled and chopped peaches and a drizzle of honey. I heated this over medium-high heat for about an hour, stirring frequently, and the peaches softened and broke down, creating a delicious, perfectly spiced peach jam that made a perfect topping on my pork roast (it also was delicious on scones!)
Then, I decided to try it as a tisane. Just hot water and this spice, infused for about eight minutes, and a drizzle of honey. Delicious! Spicy! Prefer your chai a little creamier? Simmer some milk and this Spice Only blend on the stovetop for ten minutes. This would also work great using apple juice!
But, if you just want a delicious black tea based chai – you can use these spices with your favorite Assam or Nilgiri (or whatever black tea you prefer). You can use as little or as much as you’d like to customize your chai experience. Like your chai to be zesty? Add some more of the Spice Only blend. Do you just want a hint of spice? Just add a small amount of the spice.
This Chai Spice Only blend from Chai-Wallah’s is not only tasty, but it gives you something that a typical chai blend doesn’t: versatility!
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!
Chai with Vanilla from Empire Tea Services
Tea Type: Chai Tea (Black Tea Base)
Where To Buy: Empire Tea Services
Product Description:
The same authentic Chai with added Vanilla flavor.
Tasters Review:
I LOVE Chai…but it has to be something that stands out…something different…something versatile.
Chai with Vanilla from Empire Tea Services has all of those qualities and more!
I really like this chai! And here’s why…
The spices are nice and even and not over powering and the vanilla is an awesome accompaniment to everything! I can pick up on a bit of a citrus note but the aroma is wonderful!
For kicks I tried a 2nd infusion with this one and here is what I found…it’s still yummy! A little less vanilla but still very aromatic and tasty!
This is one chai I LOVE!
Spice with Green Tea from Chai Wallah
Tea Type: Green Tea (Chai)
Where To Buy: Chai Wallah
Product Description:
A blend of our organic chai spice and Fair Trade Organic Green Tea from Korakundah Estate in Nilgiri, South India . Korakundah was the first certified organic Nilgiri tea estate. Established in 1922, the garden has become one of India’s premier organic tea estates. Tigers, panthers and elephant herds are spotted regularly in the dense jungle surrounding the pristine garden. This chai is smooth and mellow unlike its Assam stablemate! The chai should not be boiled or simmered but steeped otherwise it will reduce the beneficial properties of the tea.
Tasters Review:
I have to say…Spice with Green Tea from Chai Wallah surprised me!
The Green Tea is perfect! The Spice is intense but works very well! This is very flavorful and the primary spice that works the runway is the black pepper! It’s a true and natural black pepper taste and it’s spicy-good! The Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Cloves all seem to be together as the secondary flavor. Everything is very natural tasting and I really appreciate that about this green chai!
This is VERY Nicely done!
Kama Sutra Revitalising Tea from The East India Company
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: The East India Company
Product Description:
Kama Sutra tea is combination of fine black tea, sensuous blossoms and tantalising spices. Its deep aroma and strong full body brings romance in every sip.
Tasters Review:
Everyone knows TEA has a history! With each tea company comes a story, too, but when it comes to East India Company it truly is THE Story and THE History of Tea!
It all began in 1600 for East India Company and they are wonderful at explaining EVERYTHING on their website! If you do one thing today – make sure you visit their website and spend some time there – you won’t regret it!
As for this specific tea from The East India Company called Kama Sutra Revitalising Tea – I must say I LOVE everything about it!
The aroma is AMAZING! I can smell the rich black tea but the comforting spices and juicy fruit flavors offer a sweet yet semi-tart component to the the overall smell that fills not only your nose but the room! It’s brilliant beauty in a cup!
The color – once infused – is dark brown with orange and red hues. A nice, vibrant color, indeed!
As for the taste…it’s VERY flavorful, bold and rich, hearty and memorable! The fruits all blend together nicely for a unique taste of it’s own. They are semi-sweet yet semi-tart but meet in the middle quite nicely. The spices aren’t like the chai spices you may be thinking of. Instead they are more on the assist but NOT hiding in the background – that is for sure! They also contribute to the overall uniqueness of this flavored tea! With out any one ingredient the aroma and taste would not be the same. It’s slightly reminiscent of Seasonal or Holiday Fruit and Spices but I would be confident that anyone could enjoy this year-round! I could see myself enjoying a cup or two after morning Yoga filled with Sun Salutations.
I agree with the name as it seems to bring me joy and peace but also seems to wake me up and get my going!
This is what I would call an amazingly crafted tea!
As for you history buffs below I am including some info I found on their website but please do visit their site and read much more about their company and offerings!
A little more about The East India Company Heritage and History:
Since its creation in 1600 by The Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, the influence of The East India Company has been well documented. Without The Company our world would not be as it is today.
It changed the world’s tastes, its thinking, and its people. It created new communities, trading places, cities and shaped countries and commercial routes.
Singapore and Hong Kong were established by The Company and India was shaped and influenced by it. At one point The Company had the largest merchant navy in the world and conducted and controlled 50% of world trade.
With statistics like that it’s easy to forget that at its heart, were real people.
Our heritage is in the spirit of those pioneers. The East India Company’s employees did not set out to change the world. They were people who set sail to establish trade routes, to discover and bring back new goods, and in doing so broke down the barriers of the world.
They were explorers, traders, innovators. They took risks, they broke new ground and they sometimes got it wrong.
They were pioneering; creating many of the means and rules of commerce we use today.
They were individuals, living by the rules of their times – determined, entrepreneurial and human – who were driven by their passion and enthusiasm; the same qualities that drive our team today.