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Cameron B. drank Punjaban Party by The Chai Box

4121 tasting notes

My goodness, this tea is so good.

I don’t normally make non-sipdown tasting notes, but this is so tasty that I had to. I can taste the ginger, the fennel, and the cardamom all distinctly, and nothing is too strong or overpowering. The CTC base is somehow so smooth, which is shocking to me ha ha. It has enough body to support the spices, but there’s no trace of bitterness at all. The candied ginger is adding just a touch of sweetness, but not too much. I just… yum.

And honestly, I’ve been super impressed with all 4 of the teas I ordered from The Chai Box. Even though they’re all masala chai blends and they’re all black teas, each has its own personality. I haven’t even tried any of them on the stovetop yet, I’ve been so happy with them plain.

The other reviewers don’t seem to share my opinion though, ha ha… :P

Flavors: Anise, Cardamom, Earthy, Fennel, Ginger, Malty, Smooth, Spices, Sweet

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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2 comments

Martin Bednář
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CTC which is smooth? What kind of magic is that?

Cameron B.
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Ha ha, that’s what I thought too!

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Comments

Martin Bednář
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CTC which is smooth? What kind of magic is that?

Cameron B.
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Ha ha, that’s what I thought too!

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- October sipdowns: 0
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 129

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia.

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing