While in Edmonton the past few days, Remedy Cafe’s Kasmire Chai (their spelling) has come up several times as a ‘must-try’. So today I found one said café (there are three in town), that happens to be just a few blocks from my hotel. I arrive, ask about the chai, and if I can buy some to take home with me.
“No, it’s a super-secret recipe, and it’s simmered for days in-house only”.
Well, crap. So I vow to come back after dinner – they’re open until midnight on a Sunday!! – and try out this infamous chai. I see signs on the walls saying it’s decaf and has nuts (pistachios) in it as warnings. Most of the people in the place are ordering/drinking the chai, and it’s surprisingly busy.
When I return, I order it “normal” (normal milk and sweetener). I find out later I can have it with several different types of milk, and any variation of sweetness. I do find it too sweet with the simple syrup used, but otherwise? Wowza.
I can see rose petals in the liquid itself, and eat them – surprising for me since I normally avoid rose petals in tea. I can also see and eat chunks of pistachios in every sip, which seem to add to the experience in very good ways. The rest I can only guess – I’m thinking standard chai spices, zero tea. Some call it “spicy” and while I can see why they’d say that (there is a lot of spice in this) it’s a 1 on a scale of 1-10 for spicy heat, like chili’s.
I really, really wish I could get some to take home with me, it’s that good and unusual. I may need to try and see if I can concoct something similar at home.
People who liked this
Comments
I know, right? Remedy is my favourite place to hang out and eat in Edmonton. I practically lived there while I went to U of A. This is my absolute favourite chai in the world, and they’re the reason why I’m so damn picky about chai. I’m glad you were able to try it.
It really is quite amazing, and I’m bringing my friend tomorrow to try it too. He works near the downtown one, so I may be enabling a new tea drinker to shy away from their coffee addiction a bit. ;) I also saw on their website they’ll be selling it in restaurants soon, so I’m guessing/hoping they start selling it loose as well.
I doubt they’d ever sell it loose. They used to make a concentrate, and you could buy a jug of it. Not sure if they do that anymore. I remember the owner saying that this one has something like thirty different spices in it, and they import them from India.
If you like Indian food, I hiiiiighly recommend the wraps. Drool. Palak paneer wrap and a Kashmire chai. OMG, my dream meal.
Dammit, why isn’t this available where I live? Why didn’t I know about this place when I was visiting Edmonton?
Sounds like a plan for later today. Thanks! :) Sami, I only found out about it by asking a lot of people, “Where should I go while I’m here?” and it kept coming up.
I know, right? Remedy is my favourite place to hang out and eat in Edmonton. I practically lived there while I went to U of A. This is my absolute favourite chai in the world, and they’re the reason why I’m so damn picky about chai. I’m glad you were able to try it.
It really is quite amazing, and I’m bringing my friend tomorrow to try it too. He works near the downtown one, so I may be enabling a new tea drinker to shy away from their coffee addiction a bit. ;) I also saw on their website they’ll be selling it in restaurants soon, so I’m guessing/hoping they start selling it loose as well.
I doubt they’d ever sell it loose. They used to make a concentrate, and you could buy a jug of it. Not sure if they do that anymore. I remember the owner saying that this one has something like thirty different spices in it, and they import them from India.
If you like Indian food, I hiiiiighly recommend the wraps. Drool. Palak paneer wrap and a Kashmire chai. OMG, my dream meal.
Dammit, why isn’t this available where I live? Why didn’t I know about this place when I was visiting Edmonton?
Sounds like a plan for later today. Thanks! :) Sami, I only found out about it by asking a lot of people, “Where should I go while I’m here?” and it kept coming up.