Caramel Vanilla Chai

I swapped with Ashley for this, traded my loved, but not often craved marshmallow genmaicha figuring that I drink black teas much more frequently so it would make sense.

I got the tea and it smelled heavenly. So heavenly, in fact, that I was sad I had just started a new steeping sequence with another tea and would have to wait a day to have this in the morning.

My husband generously shared his cold germs with me and we both ended up staying home yesterday and I thought this chai would be just perfect. I had read Ashley’s note on how fine this tea was so I decided to use my perfect teapot instead of my beehouse as I figured that would help keep all the ground up tea in its place. Waited impatiently for it to steep and then cool down, took a sip and BLEH! ARGH! GROSS!

Frank, I normally love your work but when others say this is “earthy” I didn’t realize they meant it literally tasted like dirt. Maybe I’m just not an assam fan. Maybe mine had too much pepper and ginger mixed in with the assam of which I’m not a fan. Maybe mine actually was dirt covered in grossness. Maybe I shouldn’t have had the first sip right after finishing two chili cheese corn dogs (yes, they do exist!), but after waiting a while to let my palate readjust it didn’t get any better. Hubby hated it too and I’m pretty sure I lost a few points there.

Sorry Frank, this one is going up for swap ASAP. Not for me at all.

I infused this into a buttercream for the top of cinnamon-orange cupcakes. How fabulous! It’s also good to drink =P

Readers who have seen my previous reviews will know that I am constantly in search of the perfect chai. I think a good 40% of my tea stash consists of different chai blends. Many of them are good; they’re just not THE chai I’m searching for.

I knew this one probably wouldn’t be the one either, just because caramel and vanilla aren’t part of a true chai blend. I do, however, love anything sweet so I got this to satisfy the sweet tooth (or would that be sweet tastebud?). I made it today for the first time with a bit of sugar and about 1/4 mug of heated milk.

I can definitely taste the vanilla and the caramel. I can also tell it’s a chai blend. I’m not sure what I think yet. Acutally, no, I know what it is. I was expecting more desserty tea than chai, and so I’m still trying to get that expectation out of my head. It’s growing on me with every sip. I’m going to play around a bit with the milk to chai ratio next time, and maybe try brown sugar instead of white. My rating is more “to be decided” because I have a feeling that it’ll go up once I find the right balance for me.

This smells sweet and of cloves. Maybe a kind of gingerbread smell.

I like this, but it’s hard to describe the flavor. It’s the first of 52teas teas that I’ve liked… the others I can see why others like them, but were not for me. This has a dark earthy tone, I assume from the Assam, the sweetness if very subtle and barely there, the ginger and pepper flavors are the strongest after the black tea. It leaves the upper part of the mouth a bit tight due to the spicy aspects.

It’s all in all not awesome but quite tasty.

Experience buying from @Ashley: I bought this tea from Ashley when she was selling all of her tea. I received the tea quickly through the mail and my package was filled with many surprises. Thank you Ashley!

Packaging: 52Teas packaging is very professional: small silver zip locked bags with a clear front that has a 3” X 3” label on it which has the name of the tea, an ingredient list, and an expertly created picture of the food item that the tea replicates.

Appearance and aroma of dry leaf: it has a strong spicy chai-like aroma and is comprised of tiny bits of tea and other flavorings.

Brewing guidelines: two tsp. dry tea for 16 ounces of water. I used a metal basket strainer inside a ceramic 16 oz. cup, such that I put a lid over the top to keep the heat in. Cup was warmed before steeping. Milk and Stevia added.
…………….1st: 195, 2’
…………….2nd: 195, 3’
…………….3rd: 205, 6’
…………….4th: boiling, 10’
…………….5th: boiling, 10’

Color and aroma of tea liquor: Dark color, very aromatic: spicy chai.

Flavor of tea liquor: strong spicy chai flavor.

Overall: My wife and I both liked this chai, having tried at least two other chai flavored teas before. It yielded good flavor right up through five steepings! Woo, hoo!

The caramel and vanilla flavors in this tea are more of an undertone. The black pepper and clove dominate the taste for me, and there is a pleasant hint of cinnamon. I had to add a splash of milk and 2tsp of rock sugar to an 8oz cup, but this tea has some pizzaz to it! Although I was expecting a more smooth chai given its name, its robust flavor is a pleasant surprise. This will definitely keep me awake as study!