I tried this in the store this morning… and while I’m glad to have tried it, I wish I had ordered something else.
See, Chai is a tricky tea for me. I will love it or hate it, and this one definitely landed in the dislike category. It was still drinkable, but certainly not something I would ever choose for myself again.
The spices were ok, I could definitely taste the cinnamon but the cardamom and cloves were bullies and took over, which left me with an odd, minty aftertaste. I don’t see anything mint-like in the description, but I think that’s a product of the tea base and cardamom teaming up on my taste buds. It makes me wonder if they used an asian base, as there was also something oddly watery about it.
Also, I couldn’t really taste much of the tea part, unless I am right and they did use a Chinese black. My favourite chais have at the very least, a moment of “ahh there’s the tea!” and this one missed that mark.
Ah well! It smells great… and it was naturally sweet so points are given for that.
I just bought a first flush darjeeling from DT’s… so breakfast will be extra special tomorrow :)
This is You :-D
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Bio
Let’s see… I’m a tea and workout fanatic, I work in HR, and most of my friends consider me to be an egg. White on the outside, Asian on the inside :)
-from philosophy to food, I love it all
Otherwise, what you see is what you get! I can be very straightforward and yet shy.
Also, I’ve started taking tea sommelier classes and it is an absolute blast! Well, so far I’ve only finished the first out of eight courses, but I am really looking forward to the next one.
Anyhow, if your curious as to how I rate things, this is how I work…
0-25
Like eating dirt, or some other unsanitary indelicacy that mentioning in my profile here would likely get me banned.
I don’t think I’ve found cause to banish a tea to the wasteland yet though so who knows what it’d inspire ;P
25-50
You know that expression “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”? I imagine drinking that water would be terrible enough to warrant this rating!
I’d never make my enemy drink this, but perhaps I’d throw it at them. Good thing I don’t have any enemies!
50-70
This is “tea”?? I tried finishing the cup… but my body rejected it. There may be others who enjoy this tea, but it’s beyond me!
70-80
I tried liking it, and I can almost get there! I certainly don’t hate it, but something is holding me back. Allergies? Men in white suits? who knows… certainly not me!
80-90
Lovely tea! Not my all time fave but close. I likely wouldn’t repurchase, but may decide to based on many factors: price, accessibility, whether it fills a “tea gap”, medicinal applications, and how often I crave it.
Every once in awhile I find the sweet spot that bumps these up to 90+. Those are the days I need to buy a lotto ticket!
90-95
Sweet Camellia! this is realllly good tea! Don’t talk to me until I’ve finished my cup…
95-100
Tea of the gods. I would do anything to get my hands on more of this liquid gold!
Location
Toronto (Mississauga, but I work in TO)
