Kashmiri Chai

I must admit that I caved with the Tavalon Steepster Select last week. The Summer Fruit tea sounded so good. But… while at the Tavalon site, this one sounded even better… It was the photo that got me… all those almonds and huge chunks of spices. Had to try it!

I got out my frother and made a lovely, frothy chai! And I am really liking this chai blend. One of the better green chai teas that I’ve tried.

I am not going to get really descriptive with this tea at the moment, because I am enjoying this with a rather spicy pizza, and I feel that the spices from the pizza are affecting the flavor of the tea.

I am really enjoying it though!

I’m having this one right now…courtesy of LiberTEAS…thanks girl!

I really WANT to like this one…I do…and I was optimistic because of the amount of Almonds…but…all I’m tasting is ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg…blah…and A LOT OF IT…

I might cave and try and add milk or something to it…YES…me…the one that NEVER adds ANYTHING to her tea – even Chai! I might try it.

For now…I am going to put a lower rating on it but that may change.

The spices are too over powering for my palate – but if that is what you are into you would LOVE it. It’s just too much spice and not enough tea or almond or other flavors blending in to mesh for me…it’s almost bitter.

However, I am still sipping on it so at least it’s not one I will dump down the drain…

Perhaps it’s like some BEER…your first sip of a specific beer may be too dark or harsh for your liking but after a whole bottle (or 5 bottles – LOL) they start to taste better (or not phase you! LOL)

A big Thanks to LiberTEAS for sending me a sample of this when I ordered some of her Masterpiece Chai (which incidentally Rocks my world!)

I have to start by saying I don’t normally ‘eat’ breakfast but my day starts with two large mugs of tea, either a rich Malty Breakfast or a hearty Masala Chai that wakes up the mind, body, and soul .. So you have to keep that ‘Chai’ reference in mind when I share my experience of this delicately Spiced Green Tea ..

I’m really digging the look of this tea as I’ve never had slithers of Almonds, or any other type of nut in my tea before! And the aroma is truly yummy – first note I got was Nutmeg which was a nice surprise, followed by Cinnamon & Ginger, and a real Mixed Spice/Bakery scent .. All of these are obvious without reading the description (which I hadn’t until just now) ..

Anyhoo, I followed the time & temp recommendations (80°C – 3min) for the first mug, but it seemed very weak to me .. In fact if someone had served it to me with no information on what it was, I’d have guessed an Apple & Cinnamon Tisane that was lacking in apple flavouring .. So for the second one I steeped (fresh leaves) for 5 minutes, and still found it to be lacking in flavour – or better put lacking the lively dance of tea & spices I was expecting, and hoping for ..

Final thoughts: it’s an interesting twist, light & comforting, sweet and Autumny, like gingerbread biscuits and taking a walk through fallen leaves to spot the abandoned birds nests .. Yes it would be perfect to take on such a wander, or to enjoy once home from such an adventure .. But alas it’s spring here and I’m finishing off my last re-steep (nice but quite woody) ..

I won’t be ordering a tin as it’s just too subtle for my tastes, however I’d certainly drink it again if offered :P

http://i56.tinypic.com/2ccvzpt.jpg

Another sample from LiberTEAS! Thanks so much!!

I think I may have brewed this at too high a temperature. That being said, it definitely doesn’t taste stewed or burnt. There’s a slight bitterness to it that seems to come from the spices rather than the tea itself.

I’m going to hold off on rating it until I’ve brewed at the right temp…cause as of right now, I’m not really enjoying this. But I am drinking it after the Masterpiece Chai, so maybe that’s coloring my opinion?

Thank you LiberTea for sending me some of this chai. It is a lighter chai, I like the almond background. I would loved more almond to it! The green tea base was hard to taste. The blend of spice were different and nice. I brewed it in 1/2 milk and 1/2 water, and later added sugar and honey. Overall, a nice chai tea.