Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
This traditional Kashmiri recipe is a blend of black tea, Cardamom, Cinnamon, and almond flakes and essence which produces the rich, semi-sweet and nutty flavor favored in Kashmir
Taster’s Review:
To live here in the Pacific Northwest and actually love living here, I believe you’ve also got to love rainy days. Now, there may be some people who love living here and don’t like rain, but I think that a person that lives here is probably much happier if they happen to like rain. I’m one of those that do. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want it to rain constantly (I’d get a little tired of that), but there is something about the grey, overcast skies and the cool, misty air that I really love about the Pacific Northwest.
For one thing, the “wet season” of the Pacific Northwest makes perfect “chai” weather. Generally, I prefer tea hot, and for me, chai is so perfectly warm and cozy with its abundance of spices, and when served latte style it is pure comfort food in a teacup. And this time of year is really the best time to enjoy a steaming cup of chai latte goodness.
And that’s just what I have in front of me. This Kashmiri Chai from Shanti Tea is a little different from many chai blends out there. The first thing I’ve noticed is that this chai doesn’t have ginger or cloves. It has an adequate amount of cinnamon and cardamom, though, and these provide a deliciously different platform of spices here.
And the almonds! This isn’t the first chai that I’ve encountered with almonds, of course, but it is usually a pleasant surprise when I find them in a chai. This time, it’s especially noteworthy because the almonds and the cardamom are very pleasantly balanced, with the sweet, nutty flavor of the almonds accenting the exotic sweetness of the cardamom.
The cinnamon is not to be overlooked, either, and it’s not about to sit back and let the cardamom and almonds hog the spotlight in this blend. It is warm and spicy, but I’m not finding it to be overwhelmingly so. It doesn’t taste like the spicy-hot cinnamon you might experience in a hot tamale candy, for example, it is more like the warm, sweet cinnamon you might taste in your grandmother’s apple pie.
The flavor of the black tea is also there … somewhere … although I must say that it is a bit more subtle than the spices. It isn’t a very strong black tea, I suspect it may be a Ceylon, but it does provide a decent background flavor for the spice and almonds, and even with the less-than-optimal amount of black tea flavor in this chai, I don’t know that I would change this blend, because I am enjoying it so much just the way it is.
For those who are looking for a chai in which the tea is dominate, this isn’t the chai for you. However, I would recommend checking out Shanti Teas’ rather impressive line-up of chai blends, there’s sure to be one there that’s perfect for you!
This is a delicious change of pace from the usual chai blends. It is delicious served with or without milk, although I prefer it as a latte because the creaminess really makes this chai something special!
Almond Sugar Cookie Tea from Simpson & Vail
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
Heavenly! That’s the best word to describe this black tea blend. You’ll think you’re in a bakery when you open the bag and the aroma of nutty goodness wafts out. The brewed tea is divine – with no calories!
Ingredients: Black teas, almonds, flavoring and safflower blossoms.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Tasters Review:
Simpson & Vail is really knocking my socks off lately with their newest HEAVENLY TEAS! These are truly amazing!
The Almond flavor is perfect! It tastes very MUCH like you were to walk into a Bakery! And it tastes more like Sugar Cookie like as it cools a bit. This is terrific both hot and cold. It’s a nice medium-strong black tea base and I find it just lovely!
Gingersnap Cookie Rooibos from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
This mouth-watering herbal blend is sure to delight. Wonderful with a splash of cream and a pinch of sugar. It doesn’t have to be winter to enjoy this gingerbread treat. Aromatic and naturally caffeine free.
Taster’s Review:
As I sit here, the fragrance of this tisane is enticing me to take a sip. I have never had freshly baked gingersnap cookies before, but, this is what I would expect them to smell like if I ever happen to try my hand at baking them myself. It smells so wonderful.
And it tastes even better than it smells! It is sweet and delicious – and yes, it tastes very much like gingersnaps.
The flavor is nutty and spiced just right. The ginger is warm and slightly peppery, but, it isn’t a spicy-hot ginger taste. The fruit in this lends a nice depth to the flavor. It doesn’t taste fruity, but it tastes sweeter and a little richer because of the fruit.
After my first cup – which I drank without any additions – I decided I wanted more of this amazing tisane, so I brewed another cup. This time I felt a little adventurous so I added a little bit of turbinado sugar and a splash of milk. What a treat! Yes, it was delicious straight, but with a little milk and sugar the flavors really come to life!
This one is going on my shopping list! I must have more!
Secret Weapon from DavidsTea
Tea Type: White Tea
(Fruit/Herbal/White Tea Blend)
Where To Buy: DavidsTea
Product Description:
This blend just might give you the edge you need to stay healthy this fall. It’s a white Bai Mu Dan, so it’s naturally high in immunity-enhancing antioxidants. Plus it contains licorice and goji berries, a Chinese wonderfood reputed to have 500 times more vitamin C than oranges. The best part? The almonds and cocoa nibs. They don’t fight colds, but they make this an amazingly tasty weapon of choice.
Tasters Review:
Upon opening the package this smells like nuts! Lots and Lots of Nuts! Almost a peanut butter type aroma. Underneath I can smell a little fruit and even less flower-likeness.
I’m not gonna lie…I stole an almond sliver before infusing…it was tasty!
After infusion this smelled like almond but more mellow. I can also taste the Goji Berries slightly. The white tea itself has a great clean flavor! I can’t really taste the licorice much…but that’s ok with me…oh wait! There it is…it’s “on the assist” and on to the aftertaste…but only a hint! It seems to squeak it’s way in there!
This is a creative and comforting blend! It’s fun and unique! I’m very happy about this tea it seems to be the full package! Good and good FOR you!
Apricot Kernel Tea from Sanctuary T
Tea Type: Rooibos
Where To Buy: Sanctuary T
Product Description:
The first tea in our Autumn Special Edition Tea of the Week Collection makes its presence known with a strong burst of ripe fruit overtones. The apricot mixed with flower petals and whole almonds makes for the perfect rooibos mix!
Tasters Review:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! I LOVE apricots! Ever since I was a toddler! Yes, I was a weird kid…my favorite foods were dried apricots, lima beans, and fresh sprouts.
I actually bought some dried apricots the other day at the herb store, too!
I think almonds go well with Rooibos!
This smells incredible…both of apricot and almonds! When I saw that there were HUGE WHOLE Almonds I was VERY impressed!
This infuses a little darker than most Rooibos(es)…I’m excited about that as well! Plus…there is a hint of floral aroma coming thru too!
Just when I think I can taste more almond than apricot – I then taste more apricot than almond. They seem to flip-flop as I continue to sip!
This is a great tasting FUN flavored Rooibos! It’s Juicy, Sweet, and Slightly floral. What a LOVELY group of flavors! This exceeded my expectations!