So I tried Verdant’s Laoshan Black for the first time yesterday, and was curious what it would be like with chai spices. The answer? It’s AMAZING. I love the mix of spices they used here… There’s plenty of ginger, my favorite, and the sweetness from the berries is a great touch. Generally, I like to drink my chai plain (out of habit, because I drink most tea plain), and this tastes wonderful without anything added, which is a huge plus. The malty cocoa notes from the Laoshan base really elevate the whole blend. It’s savory and sweet, and the spicy aroma is mouthwatering.
Honestly, this might be my favorite chai ever. (Though I also purchased some Zhu Rong Chai… At the rate I’m going, it wouldn’t surprise me if I fell in love with that one too!) I love what Verdant Tea does with flavor in their blends. “Cozy” is the word that keeps coming to mind. With each cup, I just want to snuggle up in a blanket and savor the warmth. A perfect feeling for this time of year.
I need to stock up on this one for sure. (Despite the overcrowded state of my cupboard!)
ETA: So I just sniffed my empty mug, and guess what it smelled like? My grandmother’s homemade gingerbread cookie dough. Pretty much exactly. I’m so in love with this tea!
