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derk drank Redwood Chai by Flower Power Teas

1638 tasting notes

Purchased at the co-op.

I brewed this with a tablespoon to 10oz of boiling water to get a feel for what it has to offer as a masala chai base. It’s a pretty good blend of chunky ingredients. Very fragrant and I can taste everything — carob, ginger, cinnamon, chicory, orange peel, clove, licorice, fennel, and cardamom. I’d say the ginger, cinnamon and cloves are the stars here and they’re also evident in the moderate spiciness. The orange peel brightens up the blend. There are hints of fennel, cardamom (more apparent in the aroma) and licorice sweetness and it’s only lightly chocolate-tasting from the carob and chicory.

Brewed in water as a nighttime bev, it was thin. I like the balance of ingredients but it’s too tame for me. I need black pepper in my chai. I have some old CTC I’ll try boiling with the rest of this sample some day soon.

Preparation

Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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