Chai French Vanilla

Oh, I was a little nervous about this one initially because when I opened the tin the aroma reminded me of potpourri…. :)

Visually this is stunning with bits of cardamon, cinnamon stick, clove and ginger mingling around with the black tea. This is nicely blended because none of the flavors seem like they are overshadowing the others. I like the vanilla mixed with the chai, it reminds me of a chai creme brulee! This is delicious with soymilk.

I am definitely getting a ginger and clove “bite” in the finish. I agree with Hesper June, there is something about this that just reminds me of Christmas and it smells so lovely. It will be a nice cozy tea for winter, I think I’ll be keeping mine in the office where it tends to get very drafty in the winter time.

I guess I am the first one to review this on Steepster?
I had to enter it into the database, anyhow.
There are so many other teas I need to be drinking up before I open up anything new.
But, when we got up and the temperature was 35 degrees, this Chai was calling my name from the box.
It knew I wanted, no, needed its warmth and comfort.
So, I broke my own rules and I am not sorry. ( I am such a rebel )
When, it was brewing in my Bodum, I kept sticking my nose down over the cup and taking deep breaths…mmmmmm, Christmas!
It really does smell like Christmas to me. I think it might be the Anise and maybe the Vanilla.
This tea could certainly hold up to traditional Chai brewing, with milk.
What I like about this tea, is the spices are very present but you can still taste a nice strong black tea.
There is a nice spicy bite on the back of the tongue.
This tea brews up to a lovely dark red color.
Very tasty, especially for chilly mornings, I am going to enjoy sipping this many mornings in the months to come.

You know when you get really pissed about something and you want to lash out and stay pissed but also want to act on something or have a partner in your rage? For example…when I get pissed I sometimes BLAST really HARD Music. Well, what kind of tea does one drink to accompany something like that? I don’t mean one that will mellow you out or calm you down…I mean a ‘Misery Loves Company’ sort of tea?

Perhaps I will start a thread about this. You know…one that is like that HARD music to aid your rage? Anyways…enough of the mini-rant for now…

This is the first of the new-to-me teas from my friends at S&V and I’m super excited!

This smells like a very warming, spicy, potpourri type aroma. The black tea is of medium to medium-strong in strength.

The spices are great in this. They are a chai type spicy but also a bit of potpourri type spicy, too, with floral notes of sorts. In addition the French Vanilla is a neat touch. It’s not over powering but it would well here. A touch more would be welcomed but I do like it the way it is.

I’m so blessed to have tried this tea – as well as the others I have on tap! I will never take tea(s) for granted.

Backlog:

A really tasty chai! I love the addition of vanilla to chai blends … it gives it a sort of “latte” taste without having to add dairy, although, I did turn this chai into a latte because I wanted lots of that creamy, rich taste … I was in the mood for indulgence! This is a good chai for that!

The spices are well balanced, I love the zesty licorice note. YUM! A really good chai. REALLY good!

Here is my full-length review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2013/02/16/chai-french-vanilla-black-tea-from-simpson-vail/