Indian Chai

It’s weird drinking a tea for the first and last time. I got this in my Element Tea order, just a cup’s worth in a little paper sachet. So I am trying to enjoy this but not love it: I mean I don’t want to make myself hate it, but I don’t want to love it so much I’m sad it is gone.

Well… sadly, I really like it! It’s a strong chai, my sample was a bit small so I brewed it two extra minutes and damn is it spicy! Lots of ginger and cardamom. In fact, there are more spices than actual tea (at least in the spoonful I have) which is a good sign… for me. It seems like a lot of people enjoy milder chais, but I like mine to be a kick in the face of spiced goodness which this definitely is. Alas, I shall never have it again! There are a LOT of chais out there though, so it’s not like this is some ridiculously unique blend, just a particularly tasty version of a classic.

I made the mistake of not realizing this had actual black tea in the blend instead of just the usual chai spices… because I steeped it late at night. Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight! The black tea isn’t the typical “leaves” which is why I guess it is called indian black tea. It looks like little stones or small chunks rather than leaves. My two ounce bag has mostly black tea — not much spice! But somehow the flavor is spicy. Not too spicy, but pretty good. I actually wonder where all the flavor came from. There is also a nice slight vanilla flavor. The steep color is a gorgeous dark reddish brown.

Steep Information:
Amount: 2+ tsp – entire sample
Water: boiling, 12oz
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, vanilla, cinnamon
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, hint of vanilla
Flavor: astringent, bitter, black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, hints of cinnamon
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steepster Reviews

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bleh, too strong, wish i had not followed directions on the steeping time.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/01/element-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Yum!

This is a fairly “neutral” chai – it isn’t strongly spiced, but it isn’t too mild either. The Black tea base manages to hold its own and no one flavor is overpowering the rest. It’s good, not the best chai I’ve tasted, but good.

A nice Chai…not too spicy but still flavorful…I really enjoy the Vanilla in this one. Pretty good!