I’m doing my own personal sipdown during COVID that’s for sure! I’m flying thru a lot of the teas I have had on hand for a good-long-while including Masala Chai Organic Black Tea from Rishi Tea.
To be honest, I thought I already reviewed this one, but apparently I did NOT.
I drink chai like I drink tea…plain…straight-up…with nothing else in them. The spices are BOLD in this chai. The ingredients consist of Organic Black Tea, Organic Cardamom, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Black Pepper, and Organic Cloves. I almost typed GLOVES. Now…THAT would have been a tea I have never tried – hahaha!
As you can see – the ORGANIC theme runs thru this offering. It is certified USDA Organic and also Certified Kosher and both labels are clearly shown.
This is a bold chai and it reaches high standards. It’s a GOODIE!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
White Cap Chai from Beach House Teas. . . .
When I see those lovely spiced teas, I always get so jealous. Being one that just doesn’t care for overly spiced teas or chai blends, I always feel like I’m left out of some cool kid’s tea drinking club. I look at them longingly and try them on occasion, but always find myself having to add in a ton of agave or cream to help offset the brew. And yes, I know that is part of the chai tea latte set up, but I want to be able to taste the actual tea itself, not just the add ins.
Enter White Cap Chai from Beach House Teas.
First off, this chai tea doesn’t have your traditional tea base. Instead of having a black or even green tea base, this blend has a lovely white peony tea base that sets the tone in a more subtle way. No fear of having a very bitter or astringent brew where you have to add in sweeteners or cream- no, this tea base has an all around lighter feel.
Add in your traditional spices like fennel seed cloves, peppercorns, cardamom pods, star anise, ginger, orange peel and my favorite part- cinnamon chips- not just a dusting of cinnamon but honest to goodness large enough so you can see cinnamon chips. I should say that about all of the ingredients. No need to squint your eyes to see that these inclusions are high quality and might I add organic.
The brewing parameters on the package had me a bit scared-1 heaping tsp with 6-8 oz- allow to steep for 6-8 minutes at 212F. White tea is more delicate so I was worried about brewing at boiling but after timer went off at 6 minutes worth of steeping, I was so very happy I did. I should have know that Beach House Teas would have my back and not steer me wrong.
Right out of the gate there is this lush slightly floral silky feel and some very bright flavors that provide this wonderful first sip. I instantly fell in love with the cinnamon flavor that has a soft twist of ginger and a hint of the fennel undertones. As this is still a chai tea, those more noticeable chai flavors like cardamom and clove notes are present but they are more apparent towards the end of each sip. Towards the end of each sip and after the sip is over, you are left with this spicy peppercorn touch on your tastebuds.
I eagerly sipped down my first cup and went back to brew more. I’m a huge fan (if you couldn’t tell) of this tea and highly recommend anyone who isn’t a chai or spiced fan to check this tea out. The flavors are light and crisp and are not heavy like a traditional chai or should I say the chais I’ve experienced in the past. Heavier chais do have their time and place, but for me- White Cap Chai has stolen my heart. This may be my new morning tea!
If you are interested in checking out this (and I highly recommend you do!) blend or any others, Beach House Teas is offering a 20% discount for our readers- just enter tealover3 at checkout!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Beach House Teas
Description
White Cap Chai is a lighter version of the traditional chai making it delicate and unique. This beautiful chai is made with 100% organic white peony tea leaves and organic spices. It’s a modern twist on a sweet and spicy classic. The chai gives you a smooth, mellow taste with subtle layers of flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Country Chai Spice from Cozy Leaf Tea . . .
If your discerning palette is in search of organic teas, I’ve got a new company for you to consider: Cozy Leaf! They focus on organic ingredients, and have a bunch of teas, including one for lactating mothers, and two specifically for pregnant women: baby blessings and pregnancy.
I have neither had children nor, accordingly, lactated, so today we’re sticking with my favorite: a nice black chai!
This is a yummy, deep mix. It has malty assam instead of the funky darjeeling that’s typically found in chai, which makes it richer and mellower. The cloves and other spices participate in giving it that chill vibe.
This tea is like a good pair of thick wool socks on a lazy Sunday. Maybe you’ll walk outside through crispy fallen leaves with your dog, sipping tea from an insulated travel mug. Maybe you’ll sit on your deck with a blanket, peacefully reading some light fiction. You’ll rent a movie and nuzzle with a buddy, laughing at all the perfectly-timed jokes. You will own a wind chime and it will only tinkle peacefully when you feel like hearing it.
Ahhhh. A chill chai. Throw it in your travel mug today — if you absolutely must leave the couch.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Cozy Leaf Tea
Description
Full-bodied black tea chai made with real chai spices of rich cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, and sweet anise and clove for a healthy and delicious treat.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Super Starling Enjoys A Hearty Chai from Choice Organic Teas. . . .
This tea comes in… a bag? A BAG? WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE TAKE ME FOR? A PEASANT?
(Just kidding. Great teas can come in bags.)
This chai has one of the heartiest, butchest bases I’ve ever had. It’s described as a “malty Assam” on Choice’s site, which I think is apt. That phrase is better than anything I would have typed on my own. What I would have typed is:
“This is a rugged-man base tea. Not smoky, like the Marlboro Man. More like Wolverine, after a long day of fighting villainy. He comes home to a dark, crusty bread he just eats whole, without fussy butter or knives.”
Yes, the two manliest men I can conjure up offhand are the Marlboro Man and Wolverine. After that, my brain supplies up John Cena, the Rock, and that hot werewolf from True Blood. (In case you were wondering. Which you most likely were not.)
While the tea’s in your mouth, you’re in Dude Land. As you swallow, the chai spices check in with you to see how your day’s going. This is, technically, a chai (cinnamon in black tea, guys), but I think it’s more of a black tea — with chai elements.
I could see grabbing a box of this and taking it traveling with you. Boxed tea is great on-the-go. I drag along a steeping ball on my vacations, along with a bunch of loose teas, and I worry that some TSA agent is going to think my tea is, well, NOT tea.
And then they’d call in the sniffer-dogs to check, and then — and this is the worst part — they would NOT LET ME PET THE SNIFFER DOG. My hand would reach toward that beagle/lab/Germie and they would be like “NO, YOU TEA PSYCHO. YOU CANNOT PET HIM. HE IS WORKING.”
And I’d cry in the middle of the Pittsburgh airport.
And I am an UGLY CRIER, squad. Pink face. Snot. Puffing up. The whole shebang.
So I guess what I’m TRYING TO SAY HERE is that 1) bagged teas have a time and place, and 2) this is a good example of one that I enjoyed.
See how I tied that digression in? I wasn’t sure it was going to be possible, especially when I got into the airport thing.
Hope you enjoyed this review, and this tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Choice Organic Teas
Description
Spice things up with this bold classic, featuring malty Assam tea from India’s Brahmaputra River Valley. We blend rich, robust black tea with masala spices for a spirited cup that warms your body and soul. It blends perfectly with milk and sweetener for an authentic cha
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
