Chai Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teapigs
Chai Description:
This chilli chai is a twist on our traditional chai, a recipe that has been the Indian drink of choice for centuries. Alongside the assam tea, cardamom pods, chunks of ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, we have added flakes of chilli for an extra fiery kick. This chai is for those of you who don’t order korma and plain naan from your local curry house.
Learn more about this chai here.
Taster’s Review:
With my first sip or two, I found myself thinking … “hmm, OK, I can taste the chai spices, but, isn’t this supposed to be a Chilli Chai?” But then, a few moments later, I FELT the heat from the chilli! I could feel the warmth develop at the back of my tongue and in my throat, and with every moment that lapsed I felt that heat intensify!
That being said, I don’t think that this is a super-fiery-hot chai! Yes, it has a kick to it, but, it never gets uncomfortably hot. Intensely warm … it isn’t so hot that all I can taste is the chilli. I like that I can taste the other spices, the Assam tea, and even a hint of sweet, creamy vanilla underneath that spicy heat!
The Assam base adds a nice amount of malt and a pleasing full-bodied flavor to the cup. The spice that I notice (beyond the chilli!) is the cinnamon, and the chilli and cinnamon seem to work together to bring a spicy-yet-sweet heat to the cup. The ginger adds a hint of pepper to the mix, while the cardamom gives almost a fruit-like note to the background.
This Chilli Chai from Teapigs is very enjoyable, indeed! One I’d recommend to those who are looking for a spicier-than-the-ordinary chai, but not too spicy!
