9 Tasting Notes
Well, this is delicious. Strong, spicy and heavy on cardamom – my only complaint is that the flavor of black tea gets a little lost. I’ve tried brewing this on the stovetop, according to the directions on the package (substituting almond milk and Stevia), as well as a regular method (one rounded tbsp, just under boiling water, steep for 3 1/2 minutes). Stovetop is better, but I usually don’t have the time or patience, and both ways work for me.
Really impressed.
So this is what I’ve been missing with years of bagged green teas? This one was my first attempt at a self-brewed loose leaf sencha, and I’m not sure what to think. That vegetal aroma takes some getting used to – more so than the taste – and I preferred it on second steep. Think I’ll make the water cooler next time.
No! Not nearly spicy enough for a chai. It’s quite sweet, and a little better when it cools off, but not enough for my tastes. I prefer the company’s Fireside Chai, which is also a rooibos, and so much more flavorful. I won’t buy this one again.
Preparation
Very nice. This organic, bagged green chai is heavily redolent of anise (love that black licorice scent and taste), with a slightly peppery undertone. The green tea is appropriately grassy – weaker than some, better than others – and works well with the cardamom and cinnamon. I haven’t tried this iced yet, but it’s quite satisfying hot with a very small amount of Stevia.
Preparation
I love rooibos tea and vanilla, but this isn’t my favorite combination of the two. Smells weird – I can’t put my finger on it. There’s a note in there that’s reminiscent of… wet wood? It’s mildly off-putting. Not as sweet as the rooibos I enjoy, with only a slight vanilla taste. I don’t completely hate it, though. I guess I’ll use this when I’m out of all of the GOOD rooibos teas in my pantry…
Preparation
I’ve been loving this in the mornings lately. There’s an underlying note of – coffee? chocolate? – that meshes well with the smooth, sweet vanilla bean. Smells amazing, too. I like it well enough without any additives, but a tiny bit of Stevia and just a splash of almond milk really makes this one shine. Couldn’t help but smile at the mesh bags (if I’d grown up with this stuff in the house, my mother would have deemed it “company tea”). Surprised to find it in a supermarket (at twice the price of regular supermarket teas), but, hey – it is a full-leaf tea with a ra-ja-ja bag.
