Parker’s Caramel Apple Chai

At first, I get a lovely combination of spices and black tea. It doesn’t need milk, but I’m glad I added some because I feel like it helped bring out the subtler flavors. When I came back to the cup a little later, I definitely tasted the fruitiness, along with some sweetness that must have been the caramel. This one ends up pretty layered and nice!

I’m looking at a window full of slow snow—wafting down like little cotton parachutes; the kind that creates very little worry because there won’t be much and the temp is just above freezing. It’s also the kind that makes you lazy because it’s so soothing to watch.

So I’m using that as an excuse to rock in my favorite chair and alternate peeking outside with peeking at old episodes of Northern Exposure. You need to find and watch the episodes with Marilyn and the Flying Guy. They are adorable.

Sitting next to me is a little cup of Caramel Apple Chai. I am picky about my chai. I want the spice to be light enough I can taste the other ingredients. I can. The apple is nicely evident, the spice isn’t obnoxious, and you can coax out the caramel with a little milk and sugar.

advent day 25 yes i’m a day late but yesterday was exhausting and amazing. lockdown starts today so we have almost a full month of nothing seeing mom and dad and not having help with kiddo. Ugh. Sucks, because outside of each other, we don’t actually interact with the outside world and haven’t for an eternity.

This was a nice apple chai even though it wasn’t for me because i’m apple tea-d out lol.

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar, December 24

Two pouches are remaining in my gift bag.

I have cheated a bit today. I turned all pouches with their transparent side to me and chose the most festive one today. Of course, no idea what they are. I think I chose indeed well!

I don’t know where to start. It’s amazing; caramel sweetness which isn’t cloying nor sickly sweet. Apple flavour which is just spot on, spices warmth just right (I have to disagree with Kiki). It reminded me a bit of some great apple pie (which I don’t recall having recently). Kind of deja vu?

Anyway, my cuppa wasn’t too clove heavy — so I can rate it high. And will do; and considering an order with pouch of this. It is that yummy! Probably best one from CuppaGeek I had in my Advent Calendar!

Advent Day 13, From the Depths of the Grab Bag. We’re a few days behind because nighttime has been rough for me lately.

“It smells like old lady.”

<You’re an old lady.>

“Hey you, you watch your mouth!”…

“In the cup it smells like pumpkin pie. Mhm… frown I can’t keep my eyes open when I think of it. It tastes like shit. Maybe a little vanilla in there, but that clove tastes like you’re dragging your tongue through a field of cloves, dry. It tastes dry. I would not have this again making faces and sad laughs It’s not my favorite, definitely not my favorite. I say it’s a 2. I think that somebody who likes that flavor profile would enjoy this tea, especially if they added whipped cream to it. I don’t recommend it unless you’re a real big clove drinker. Maybe apple. cackles That all I have to say now, for sure. Maybe it’s cranberry. cackles But that’s it, no more.” …

“Oh, I can see how it’s Caramel Apple Chai. But the cloves!”

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar – Day 9

I was really excited about this one. It smelled awesome and sounded great. However, brewed it was too clove heavy I think. I like clove but the clove sort of muddled out a lot of the other ingredients. Perhaps it was just the balance in my sample but this wasn’t what I hoped it would be.

The first steep was a bit clove heavy, but then I did brew it strong. There is a caramel/apple flavored aftertaste. Second steep is much more fruity, lots of sweet apple, the clove is gone, and there is a slight caramel note. I did a third steep for 10 minutes, and it’s the most balanced of the three, no clove, but the caramel/apple/cinnamon is weaker but certainly still there. This was a nice warming cup but I’m not sure I need it in my cupboard.

Cuppa Geek Advent Day 4

Technically my packet was just labeled Caramel Apple Chai, but on the site this was part of the fundraiser and had “Parker’s” added. I am 99% sure they are identical.

I did pull this randomly this morning with no cheating, and I figured if I chose a good breakfast tea I would have it early and if it was desserty I would wait and have it later. As it so happened, I had a whole pouch of this already and could add some of mine to stretch it to a big pot to share with my husband. I knew I had some cinnamon bagels on hand and they would pair well.

There is clove in this, which always makes me think of Teaberry chewing gum. The cinnamon enhanced the bagel instead of competing. We drank it plain, but I have to say I really love this as a sweet latte.

I actually went for a third steep and completely forgot it. All my fault! When I finally remembered I was sure it must be ruined. Instead, it was just super super clove-y and the tea had grown somewhat brisk but it was still drinkable. Pretty amazing considering how long it steeped.