4 Tasting Notes
Definitely lives up to its name – maple and ginger scent permeates the packaging, and upon steeping, those are the major flavors this herbal tea delivers. The ginger is nice and spicy, and the maple is a tad on the “syrup” side but not overly sweet or artificial. I find double-bagging and a slightly longer brew time really brings out the spiciness of the ginger, which helps the maple not be overly sugary. It’s a good cool-weather option (I can’t imagine enjoying this iced). If you see a box and it interests you, I think it’s a pretty safe buy.
Preparation
Other reviewers have noted that this is not a very strong chai. While I would agree with them, I actually think a more mild chai isn’t a bad thing to have on hand. It is not flavorless – the vanilla and chai spices are certainly detectable. It is, however, more gentle and less intense than many other chais I’ve had. This morning, I’m sipping it after coffee and it’s perfectly cozy on a very cold November day. Purchase/drink if the idea of a “soft” chai appeals to you, and avoid if you like a more “in your face” chai.
If you are looking for a sweet, dessert-like vanilla tea, this probably won’t be for you. Tazo does have it within their Dessert line, but I think that’s actually a disservice to this tea. The licorice root provides a nice balance and keeps the tea from being overly sweet. Lovely if you’re wanting something a little less “in your face” vanilla, but probably not what most purchasers are after.
