I bought this because it looked weird. I love weird teas. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed when I got it. It says on the packaging, but not the website, that this is red chili pepper- not the red bell pepper I assumed it to be. Yeah, yeah. I know what happens when I assume. Speaking of the packaging… I bought the bag, not the tin. When sealed, it’s definitely protected from the elements buuut… once opened (it needs to be cut) it is not protected at all. I’m sorry, but a company that expects me to pay more for the same amount of tea to be protected from the elements for the entire time it stays in my cupboard is quite underhanded. That annoys me.
Anyway, back to the tea. Steeped as suggested except that I didn’t bring the water quite to a boil to preserve the health benefits. The liquor is a dark brown w/ reddish tones and the aroma is earthy and toasty.
Now if you freaked out as soon as I said chili pepper, don’t. This is not as spicy as 52teas Mayan Chocolate Chai. The chili leaves plenty of room for the depth of the oolong to come out. It would; however, pair wonderfully w/ a chai spice mix to make an oolong chai.
Preparation
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2nd infusion, 3 min 20 sec. Liquor is quite a bit lighter and orangy. Flavor is lighter as well, both the oolong and the chili. Roastyness is very light making a sweeter cuppa.
3rd infusion, 4 min 20 sec. Slightly lighter liquor, but same flavor as the 2nd infusion.
A lot of the peppery chais also have licorice in them, which I don’t like, so this might be pretty tasty.
This one has no licorice:) and neither does Mayan Chocolate Chai.
“…a company that expects me to pay more for the same amount of tea to be protected from the elements for the entire time it stays in my cupboard is quite underhanded.”
Interesting that you’d understand it that way. I really appreciate it when companies offer non-tin tea refills cheaper….it saves money. The idea is that you only need to buy a tin the first time, and afterward you can save money and space by buying the cheaper refill.
Or you can empty it into another container, say Adagios?
FYI, the Lupicia tins aren’t really tight. So I wouldn’t even use them to hold the loose leaves in the first place. You need to use a rubber band or something to keep it sealed.
True, but my current storage isn’t condusive to tins. And I don’t prefer tins either.
Ricky, that’s exactly why I don’t prefer tins. I could, yes- (If I had one, which I don’t) but I shouldn’t have to. The option of the bag or the tin is nice- I’m just asking that the bag option keep the tea safe from the elements.
Oh and rubber bands won’t work- I’m allergic to latex:(
I don’t get it—you don’t have to buy the bag! You’re supposed to buy the tin, and the bag is a refill and is discounted as an added perk for repeat customers. It’s kind of strange to bash a company for providing you a discount!
Cuz I didn’t want the tin. I’m not bashing them for providing a discount. I’m saying I wish the bag would close after being opened. That’s it. End of story.
Hair ties, scrunchies? Whatever feminine products you guys have? =] But it’s a shame that you’re allergic to latex. I had a teacher once that wanted to be a doctor, but she was allergic to it, poor her.
I thought you were suppose to buy whatever is cheapest. You get what you pay for =] I think the pouches aren’t resealable because it’s the same ones they put into the tin. It wouldn’t make sense to have zip lock pouches and a tin that’s seal-able.
I too wish the bag was resealable, but since I have the tins I didn’t really think that, but I’m sure I would if I didn’t.
2nd infusion, 3 min 20 sec. Liquor is quite a bit lighter and orangy. Flavor is lighter as well, both the oolong and the chili. Roastyness is very light making a sweeter cuppa.
3rd infusion, 4 min 20 sec. Slightly lighter liquor, but same flavor as the 2nd infusion.
A lot of the peppery chais also have licorice in them, which I don’t like, so this might be pretty tasty.
This one has no licorice:) and neither does Mayan Chocolate Chai.
“…a company that expects me to pay more for the same amount of tea to be protected from the elements for the entire time it stays in my cupboard is quite underhanded.”
Interesting that you’d understand it that way. I really appreciate it when companies offer non-tin tea refills cheaper….it saves money. The idea is that you only need to buy a tin the first time, and afterward you can save money and space by buying the cheaper refill.
Or you can empty it into another container, say Adagios?
FYI, the Lupicia tins aren’t really tight. So I wouldn’t even use them to hold the loose leaves in the first place. You need to use a rubber band or something to keep it sealed.
True, but my current storage isn’t condusive to tins. And I don’t prefer tins either.
Ricky, that’s exactly why I don’t prefer tins. I could, yes- (If I had one, which I don’t) but I shouldn’t have to. The option of the bag or the tin is nice- I’m just asking that the bag option keep the tea safe from the elements.
Oh and rubber bands won’t work- I’m allergic to latex:(
I don’t get it—you don’t have to buy the bag! You’re supposed to buy the tin, and the bag is a refill and is discounted as an added perk for repeat customers. It’s kind of strange to bash a company for providing you a discount!
Cuz I didn’t want the tin. I’m not bashing them for providing a discount. I’m saying I wish the bag would close after being opened. That’s it. End of story.
Hair ties, scrunchies? Whatever feminine products you guys have? =] But it’s a shame that you’re allergic to latex. I had a teacher once that wanted to be a doctor, but she was allergic to it, poor her.
I thought you were suppose to buy whatever is cheapest. You get what you pay for =] I think the pouches aren’t resealable because it’s the same ones they put into the tin. It wouldn’t make sense to have zip lock pouches and a tin that’s seal-able.
I too wish the bag was resealable, but since I have the tins I didn’t really think that, but I’m sure I would if I didn’t.