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derk drank Ashwagandha Chai (Formerly Destiny's Chai) by DAVIDsTEA

1612 tasting notes

Steeped 1 tsp in 10oz for 4 minutes and woo yeah that’s fire! My kind of caffeine-free masala chai. I mostly taste spicy hot cinnamon and ginger, lesser black pepper and cardamom and maybe a rooty zing from teh ginseng. The ashwagandha not so much but I’m used to the starchy, parched earth flavor of whisking a 1/2 tsp of powder into almond milk and simmering. The cloves come through much more in the aroma than in taste. I love how the heat of this one warms my whole head and lingers in the mouth, but as it dissipates I notice that ‘fake sweet’ cinnamon flavoring sticking around which I don’t like.

I bet this would stand up to simmering in any milk of your choice; however, with the amount of cinnamon, I think it might overpower the other spices. I have one teaspoon left and will try the rest of it either on the stove with milk or brewed with a bag of rooibos. Thanks, Leafhopper :)

Flavors: Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Spicy

Preparation

205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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