Trader Joe's

A review: Ruby Red Chai (Spiced Rooibos) by Trader Joe’s

I am having this tea since it has been a long while, as well as I was reminded of this tea because of the way it is packaged (individual teabags are wrapped in clear plastic bags) and another tea (Kukicha) by Haiku has similar packaging; clear and individually wrapped tea bags. It is a nice effect, you open the box and the spices rise up in the air filling your nostrils and lungs with such sweetness and delights and you can view the teabags without really trying to since it is clear.

I use one tea bag and poured hot water into the cup and left to steep for few minutes. I am trying shorter steep time; since last time I had this tea, it cooked for five minutes, and I will not be adding anything else to it.

I find with shorter steep time the spices are more potent/pungent even. It is a full-bodied tea all on its own. It is a warming tea because of the spices; cloves, allspice and cardamom all vying for attention it seems with the nutmeg and cinnamon not too far behind.

I am looking for warmth and comfort when selecting the teas I chose to drink. This indeed did provide the warmth and soothing mind, but my soul is still in turmoil. And cannot be helped. Not the teas’ fault, but of mine own.

This is good chai; an allspice cup of chai!

Ruby Red Chai (Spiced Rooibos) by Trader Joe’s

I decided to try this Spiced Rooibos as a true Chai recipe. I mean to have it with non-dairy product like milk. I had purchased some Rice Dream, a Trader Joe’s brand to practice making different Chai recipes. Today, I used two tea bags, a small cup of the Rice Dream and a ½ of small cup of water. I pour the water in small pan and placed the two tea bags into the pan, waited for it to come to boil, I added the non-dairy Rice Dream and stirred mixing the flavors and soy together. It smelled wonderfully sweet. I smell more of the cinnamon and cardamom; it seems adding the Rice Dream brings out the other flavors more than without it. Since I can now discern the ginger and the cloves—making it somewhat licorice in taste.

I think just one tea bag and a small cup of Rice Dream cooked for 3 minutes or until slightly boiling would have sufficed and adding the water is for more tea or to not have it be too thick.

I cannot drink too much of this since my stomach is so sensitive; but I truly believe that Chais are meant to be drunk hot and with milk or soy or some similar non-dairy drink; it needs some thick cream; for the texturing and to make the tea’s liquor to have a character that is a fuller brew and quality.

Ruby Red Chai (Spiced Rooibos) by Trader Joe’s

The tea’s color is a vibrant red and smells so wonderful that just the aroma alone is enough to awaken the spirit. I followed the instructions and decided to have this tea plain with nothing added at this time. I feel it is worth smelling the ginger, nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon; they all mingle so very well. The clove, I always compare to the nutmeg and allspice and this may be that I have not used allspice on its own. So this is a foreign spice to me.

I like that this tea makes me feel warm and alive right away from the simmering cup to the tasting and drinking of the tea. I think this tea will be something I will arrive and come to when needing comfort and strength from the harsh environment out there; not nature but men.

I forgot to mention that the teas are individually wrapped in a clear plastic bag so you can see the teabag and string; this is done to preserve the fragrances until being used. I am guessing this since it is not explained as to why. I have had Trader Joe’s teas and they are usually individual loose teabags in rows within the box; with no other covering.

As stated on the package: This tea is chock full of antioxidants and warms the body, soothes the mind and heals the soul. I can attest to this from having had several cups of this tea today.

I had not been in a Trader Joe’s store for a long time so this was worth it. Thank you!

I use it with less powder than what it prescribes and it is delicious hot or cold. Once i added matcha and it was sinful :)

This is a really nice and strong black tea. Definitely drink it with milk and sugar, especially if you steep it for a long time. It’s a great morning-time tea, perfect to wake up to.

So I was sitting there pondering something I can’t remember now while the Oscars was on, to which I suddenly craved for some hummous and pita chips to go along with! There I was swinging by the TJ’s , figured it was a grab and buy errand but as usual I got stuck in the store browsing around. Well, obviously it lead me to this fab tea, which I bought a carton of two along with some nachos(skipped the pita) and got some dips. I drank a cup at once i got home and brewed it with hot water for 5 minutes. It gave off the usual chamomile flowery aroma , but it turns out a bit starchy that gives off a woody taste. Another cup and steeped it again but it turns out mute and more woody, a fine stand by for any night!

Yum! This is a really nice peppermint-y green tea. I like drinking it with milk and LOTS of sugar. I definitely recommend this tea.

It is guaranteed that this tea, brewed up and iced, is always in our fridge.

This tea is best if you steep it, then put it in the fridge and drink it cold later. I add stevia liquid to it, and it’s a wonderful treat in the summer!

My rating is based on this steeping/drinking method.

I usually don’t drink Irish Breakfast since you have to put milk in sugar in it, and right now I’m working on enjoying tea in its natural state. It’s fine, I can see why there are mixed review on this one. A friend gave me a few bags since she knows I enjoy tea, I don’ think I would buy this on my own.

yummy! Gonna be sad when the holidays are over. very nice and refreshing.

This was the first peppermint tea I’ve found that isn’t overwhelmingly minty; it’s subtle and delicious. Just right for a cold day.

Perfumy as any Earl Grey should be, without being overwhelming.

I had this tea twice today. I rarely want the same tea twice in one day. Obviously, there’s something going on with this tea. It grows on you. It’s simple on the surface, but when you pay attention, the individual flavors emerge. Today, I had the bag in the water for a few hours and I tasted something that seemed like chocolate. Then I figured it was the chicory and carob. I think I’ll do long steeps more often. And the peppermint is so cooling. It would probably be great for sore throats too.

So I keep looking for Candy Cane Lane at my grocery store cause of all the hype that this tea gets. It’s almost the middle of December and still no Candy Cane Lane. You suck, A&P. And not just because you don’t stock holiday tea. (2nd to worst produce everrrrr) Fortunately, I have a nearby Trader Joe’s and I’ve been assured that this tea is the same. Yaaaay. I love you, Trader Joe’s.

So the packaging is just adorable. A polar bear in a sweater having a hot cup of tea. I want to meet this bear and have tea with him. I’ll bring some smoked salmon sandwiches. And the narwhale is invited too. We could do some holiday decorating. He seems into that sort of thing. In short, the package art indulges my childish imagination.

The smell of the tea reminded of the car freshener my dad used when I was young and prone to car sickness. I had a brief moment where I re-experienced all the times I threw up in dad’s old Lincoln. Then that moment was over and I smelled peppermint, cinnamon, and vanilla. There’s also some mystery smells that I don’t recognize. Together, it all smells kinda crazy.

Then I let it brew for a long time while I had dinner. The flavor is really close to a candy cane, actually. I’m sort of impressed. Then I notice the individual flavors. Nice. The more I drink this, the more I like it. I love the cool peppermint and the smooth vanilla. And the cinnamon works so well here. I do wonder why there’s sugar in the ingredient list. Isn’t the sweetening of a tea left up to drinker’s preference? And gum acacia? Whyyyyy? I’d like this a lot more if not for the last two ingredients. But I totally see myself drinking this when I find looseleaf inconvenient or when I want a peppermint fix. It would probably be awesome with chocolate desserts. Mint chocolate!

A nice, basic peppermint tea. Nothing special, but good if you just want to sit back, relax, and unwind after a long day.

This tea has a wonderful scent, just like candy canes with a hint of cinnamon. I had it plain without anything added, but next time I would definitely add sugar or honey to sweeten it a bit. This mix begs for it.