A sample from Miss B! After reading a couple of tasting notes, I went for a lot of leaf and a short brew time – 2.5 tsp for around 2 minutes, in boiling water. No additions. From looking at the leaf, I get the impression that this is a fairly unusual blend – citrus flavours and coconut with traditional chai spices.
To taste, though, it’s actually better than I expected. There’s an initial brightness from the citrus (orange, mandarin?) that bursts across my palate in a way that’s both sweet and slightly sharp/sour in the way only citrus can be. The mid-sip reveals some creamy coconut, which ushers in a semi-tropical vibe that’s acutally borne out really nicely in the spices which come into play towards the end of the sip.
I did wonder whether the spices would overpower the citrus flavour, but they’re actually reasonably subtle. You know they’re there when they emerge – I can pick out cardamon and pepper for sure, plus the warmth of ginger. Somehow, though, they work with the citrus/coconut combination, rather than against it. The overall feeling is of a tropical-style chai blend – the only thing I have to compare it to is Thai Chai, which generally contains coconut, but it’s not quite the same animal. The citrus here is (obviously) the really unique thing.
I’m enjoying this as a summer chai. I’d try it iced if I had enough leaf, but I think I probably don’t. Really, I’m just pleased that it doesn’t taste as odd as it sounds initially, plus it made for a good mid-morning cup.
