Got this as a gift from the wonderful and smart Carolyn! I love chais. And I love chocolate. And I love things w/ chili/red pepper. I have my chais 2 ways, w/ and w/o milk. I don’t sweeten my chai’s, but I would like to try ROT’s and Lupica’s tea honeys someday.
As w/ all chais, I’m trying it hot and clean 1st. 1 heaping teaspoon tea to 6oz purified water heated to just below boiling because I want to preserve the health benefits.
Compared to my Pu Erh yesterday this is light lol! The liquor is a gorgeous dark reddish brown color.
I have to be honest. The aroma of this tea makes me giggle w/ happiness. The chocolate hits my nose as richness, then the spices tickle my nose w/ their strength, and lastly the black tea manages to fight it’s way thru as if to say “Don’t worry, I’m still here!”.
I’m kinda glad that I’m enjoying my 1st cuppa this alone. I’m definitely not acting like the mature and sophisticated 24 yr old that I am. This tea is WONDERFUL! I’ve had very good chais before, but the chocolate and chili put this on a whole new platform. I’ve seen a lot of disappointing scores on this one, so if you want to get rid of yours in a swap- PLEASE send me a message!
Preparation
Comments
I normally don’t expect much for additional infusions of blacks, but since I was absolutely thrilled w/ the 1st one I decided to try again. 6min. Not really darker in liquor, but more dull and less red. I can still smell the chocolate which surprises me. I can taste the chocolate as well, although this cuppa is much sweeter than the 1st. Still very good though.
Decided to make a dirty chai latte. 2oz cold brewed coffee concentrate and 4oz water. Steeped 7min then added 1tsp each spiced rum, caramel, and white chocolate creamers. Very sweet as expected, very shocked at the weakness of both the coffee and the chai.
4th infusion, 8min. Surprised at how dark this is, although it’s very dull- not bright like the 1st infusion. W/ almost caramely tones. The flavor matches the liquor. Smooth, creamy mouth feel, sweet and spicy taste.
…how is the chocolate pulling trough? Sweet-milky, or with bitter-pure roughness? Never had a Choc.-Chai…:-(
Keemun, you are really missing out! The 1st infusion was definitely a pure cocoa flavor, but it wasn’t rough at all. After that it became more sweet, but still cocoa-ish (think drinking chocolate vs hot chocolate made w/ water). Extremely good in all infusions.
…nice.Means I will lock myself into my room and will not appear on ‘steepster’ for at least a month…or I will change my name to another one…damn.
Sorry ’bout that. You did not mention that on your profile,did you?
…I guess it was your Winston Churchill quote that drove me in the wrong direction…and speaking of him…I wonder what great teas he had during his long life time (…besides all that whisky).
Ok… not sure where you got me being male from that quote. Notice I’m into romantic comedies too? lol:)
I think my writing style also implies a female gender. I don’t think most men giggle over even tea lol.
…true…Sister Act for example would be more than suspicious for a dude…(although there is not much romance going on…I guess, never saw it)
I normally don’t expect much for additional infusions of blacks, but since I was absolutely thrilled w/ the 1st one I decided to try again. 6min. Not really darker in liquor, but more dull and less red. I can still smell the chocolate which surprises me. I can taste the chocolate as well, although this cuppa is much sweeter than the 1st. Still very good though.
Decided to make a dirty chai latte. 2oz cold brewed coffee concentrate and 4oz water. Steeped 7min then added 1tsp each spiced rum, caramel, and white chocolate creamers. Very sweet as expected, very shocked at the weakness of both the coffee and the chai.
4th infusion, 8min. Surprised at how dark this is, although it’s very dull- not bright like the 1st infusion. W/ almost caramely tones. The flavor matches the liquor. Smooth, creamy mouth feel, sweet and spicy taste.
…how is the chocolate pulling trough? Sweet-milky, or with bitter-pure roughness? Never had a Choc.-Chai…:-(
Keemun, you are really missing out! The 1st infusion was definitely a pure cocoa flavor, but it wasn’t rough at all. After that it became more sweet, but still cocoa-ish (think drinking chocolate vs hot chocolate made w/ water). Extremely good in all infusions.
Good review, thanks, now this is definitely on my list to get from 52teas… :)
And if by some sad misfortune you don’t like it I will be the 1st to request a swap hehe:)
…you wish, mate.
Yeah I do, and I did. I totally called it a full 37min before your comment lol =D
…you are a wicked man,Sir! A wicked man…indeed!
Ummm… ok… how should I take that considering I’m very much a woman?
…nice.Means I will lock myself into my room and will not appear on ‘steepster’ for at least a month…or I will change my name to another one…damn.
Sorry ’bout that. You did not mention that on your profile,did you?
…tea anyone?…
Haha! No I didn’t.
…I guess it was your Winston Churchill quote that drove me in the wrong direction…and speaking of him…I wonder what great teas he had during his long life time (…besides all that whisky).
Ok… not sure where you got me being male from that quote. Notice I’m into romantic comedies too? lol:)
I think my writing style also implies a female gender. I don’t think most men giggle over even tea lol.
From day one I thought you were a female.
Keemun, I would assume you’re a guy. Am I two for two?
…true…Sister Act for example would be more than suspicious for a dude…(although there is not much romance going on…I guess, never saw it)
Haha thanks Ricky. Actually Sister Act is kinda manly cuz it’s about a lady that goes into witness protection. Sister Act 2 isn’t so much. But I don’t consider it a chick flick. It’s a gender nuteral movie. And of course P.S. I Love You is about as girly as you can get.:)