This tea was totally not what I expected – and I couldn’t be happier!
I have had a number of spicy teas, as in jalapeno spicy, and I have never been a fan of that kind of spice. Odd how it works out, because three of my children love spicy food, the hotter the better, but I have never been able to handle it.
I don’t drink much real chai spice tea, because I am not crazy about black peppercorns in tea, though I know it is good for you and many people love it. This has pink peppercorns, which I prefer. Also, I love cardamom in tea. And cocao nibs!
What I got with this tea was a silky smooth cup that reminded me of Mexican hot chocolate, only better. Did I say silky and smooth? Because that is my strongest impression from this tea. The spices are just so spot on. This is comfort food in a cup. The ginger is well behaved and doesn’t bite. AND IT IS ORGANIC!
Instead of Spicy Chocolate Chai, my pet name for this tea might be something like “Chocolate Cinnamon Daydream.” Or how about “Tea for Reading on a Rainy Day.” If you are afraid of the words “spicy” or “chai”, don’t be afraid of this blend.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Fraser Tea
Description
Spicy Chocolate Chai Organic Pu-erh Tea is a fusion of cocoa nibs, spicy chili peppers, and delicate, sweet oranges combined to craft a flavor sensation with maximum health benefits. Striking a delicate balance between heat and sweetness, spicy chocolate chai is a smooth and flavorful tea that supports weight management and wellness. Enjoy any time. Try it as-is or add milk and sugar.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Turm It Up!/BlendBee. . . .
Right off the bat, this tea has two things that I love: 1. a punny name (I mean, come on.) 2. powerhouse ingredients that boast all sorts of good-for-you claims!
Now, to be fair– this isn’t a tea in its traditional sense. There are no leaves, there’s not even your typical dried herbs found in most tisanes. This is a bright orange powder chock-filled with all sorts of health-assisting goodies (so the internet claims– remember, I’m no doctor!) designed to make it easy-peasy for you to whip up all sorts of healthy morning tonics. Now, while I am as much a fan of a golden milk latte (a traditional milk-based spicy turmeric drink), this blend leans a little more fruity thanks to its hibiscus, ginger, and lemon peel blended in, among other things– so maybe save your milk for another mix, this one is best with water.
After trying this concoction straight a few times, I had a moment of revelation the other day when I saw some lemonade hanging out in my fridge (what is summer if not prime Arnold-Palmer time?)– why not make this tonic lemonade-based? I added 1.5 tsp to about 10 oz. liquid and shook it like, well, you know how the song goes. While I don’t think the powder ever 100% dissolved into my liquid, a few shakes before every few sips worked perfectly to keep things blended. This was tart and spicy, but also fruity and delicious– a fantastic afternoon pick-me-up that’s good for you, to boot! I will absolutely be trying this mix in other blends to come– maybe a smoothie or two? As usual, Blend Bee knocks it out of the park!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
Get your daily dose of turmeric with this bright, fruity & spicy blend. Perfect for iced turmeric drinks & tonics. Turmeric is an incredible superfood packed full of benefits. Enjoy Turm It Up Tonic for an killer boost!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Chinese Five Spice from 52Teas. . . . .
I love spicy teas, so when I saw that 52Teas has a special spiced blend for the Chinese New year, I had to try it. Chinese Five Spice from 52Teas is one of my favorite chai blends I’ve tried in a while. In the dry leaf, you can smell the Szechwan peppercorns, adding a little heat and a little tingly, earthy ground pepper scent.
The peppercorns are well-balanced with the sweeter spices like anise and ginger. The orange peels are specifically mandarin oranges, and there’s something distinct in the citrus flavor that makes it feel different than the usual orange notes. Finally, there are also plenty of cloves that add their own sweet-spice, almost making the dry tea leaves have a fragrance like Dr. Pepper or Moxie soda.
Brewed, the black tea really shines and shows off its quality, tippy tea leaf origins. Somehow both smooth and tart, it makes the pepper and orange pop on my tongue but without any spicy after-burn on my throat. There is still a very full-flavored scent in my mug with cloves and ginger, but it’s not sweat-inducing spicy in taste, very drinkable. No honey or milk needed (though you can always add them if you love it), the blend is well-balanced right out of the bag.
I ordered the sample size but I’ve already finished it, so I’ll have to put the full size bag in my shopping cart soon. This is a tasty, unique chai for spicy tea lovers everywhere.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description:
Since China is a very important part of what I do (since most of my tea comes from China!), I decided it was important to do something to celebrate the ringing in of the Chinese New Year this year (The Year of the Dog)! I started with two black Yunnan teas – a Yunnan Black Gold and a tippy Assamica grown in the Yunnan Province – and added dried mandarin wedges and the whole spices of a Chinese 5 Spice blend: Cinnamon, Cloves, Star Anise, Fennel and Szechwan peppercorns. Then I added just a wee bit of ginger to enhance the peppery notes just a little. The result is a cuppa that is a little bit sweet, a little bit savory and a little bit spicy! It’s a really nice, round flavor! The mandarin orange flavor is bright and adds a nice touch to the spices here. It’s kind of like an orange flavored chai – Chinese style! I’m really happy with how this one came out – the spices are strong enough to be inviting but don’t blow out the taste buds with the spice – and the mandarin is really lovely: sweet and juicy!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Indian Masala Chai from Storehouse Teas. . . .
This black tea is visually stunning! Blended with traditional Indian Masala spices in their whole form, you can see the cinnamon, cardamom, and clove within this blend. In addition to being able to see the spices used to create this blend, you can immediately smell the clove and cardamom as you open the package. It’s recommended to brew this for approximately 5 minutes, and it does brew dark – even for a black tea.
On the palate, this tea has a spicy aftertaste that I would almost describe as peppery. I drank mine hot without sugar or milk, but I think this would be a beautiful blend for an iced Chai tea latte!
Regardless of your opinion about this specific blend, I do encourage you to check out Storehouse Teas. They provide organic, fair-trade teas and assist both refugees and small farmers find employment. Their business model and theory is wonderful, and their teas are priced for everyday enjoyment. With such a large selection, I’m sure you can find something that is perfect for your favorite cuppa.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Chai
Where to Buy: Storehouse Tea
Description
A robust and classic full flavored black tea blended with traditional whole Indian Masala spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove, this tea is bold and stimulating. Masala Chai should be brewed strong and served sweet with milk when hot or pour it over ice as a chilled Chai tea latte.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cocoa Chili Pumpkin from Tiesta Tea. . .
Tis the season for all things pumpkin and spooky. I love this time of year. Being a huge fan of the horror genre, I love stealing away any time I can and enjoying a scary flick or indulging myself in the latest spooky book. And honestly, the best partner to any scary book or movie is a marvelously brewed tea possibly turned into a latte.
Cocoa Chili Pumpkin has been my go to pumpkin tea for the last couple of weeks. I can’t get enough of this tea. Typically I stay away from black flavored spicy teas. In my experience, the spices tend to burn your taste buds or the flavors are just incredibly muddy. Not with this tea.
Being one that isn’t a huge chocolate fan but a HUGE pumpkin fan, I wondered how I would feel abbot this combo and I have to say, it is delightful! Each sip starts off with this lush smooth pumpkin dark chocolate combo that mingles with the malty tone set by the black tea base. Here and there you pick up a bit of heat that does just that. Brings some heat that truly elevates the tea to a different level. The spices are blended perfectly and are not overdone by any stretch.
What draws me to this tea the most is the combination of sweet and spicy flavors. I’ve never been one that has been drawn to spicy teas in the past, but I just can’t get enough of this particular tea. I’m not sure if its the pumpkin dark chocolate combo that I can’t get enough of or if it is the heat this tea brigs. Either way, I’m going to need more of this tea soon. My bag is about gone and we still have a few more weeks until winter is officially here.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea
Description
Ingredients: black tea + chocolate chunks + ginger + cinnamon + pumpkin cubes + natural flavors + cloves + chili peppers + cardamom + pink peppercorns + marigold petals (CONTAINS MILK)
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
