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drank Chai Spice Black Tea [duplicate] by Stash Tea
1647 tasting notes

I took a road trip this weekend down to Monterey as a reunion of sorts with the other two lady coworkers. The one who still lives in the Bay Area was kind to pick me up in San Francisco on her way down from the East Bay. We took the coastal route, Highway 1, and stopped for lunch at a Mayan restaurant in a house called Cafe Capistrano in Half Moon Bay. I had a killer meal of cochinita pibil and a mug of this tea.

The tea was not so good. I mean, it was good enough but not what I was expecting from a Chai Spice tea. In a 16oz mug, 1 bag produced a cup tasting purely of moderately spicy cinnamon oil (almost artificial like red hots) and clove. The ginger and cardamom were nowhere to be found. I think brewing this in a smaller amount of water would make an overwhelming cinnamon tea. The black tea base added some body but I couldn’t taste it. I am happy that the restaurant provided a decent selection of bagged teas in a basket and that I wasn’t served Lipton.
Preparation
5 min, 0 sec 16 OZ / 473 ML
3 comments
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Tabby
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16 ounces seems like a lot for one bag…

derk
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I know… I like my brews stronger but the waitress gave me a mug of hot water instead of a pot and there was only 1 bag of this. I’m actually grateful the tea was diluted since the cinnamon red hot flavor overrode everything else.

Mastress Alita
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I’m fairly certain I’ve had this one before, and felt the same about it… like it tasted overwhelmingly strongly of clove and that artificial cinnamon taste and I really didn’t like it.

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Comments

Tabby
Delete

16 ounces seems like a lot for one bag…

derk
Delete

I know… I like my brews stronger but the waitress gave me a mug of hot water instead of a pot and there was only 1 bag of this. I’m actually grateful the tea was diluted since the cinnamon red hot flavor overrode everything else.

Mastress Alita
Delete

I’m fairly certain I’ve had this one before, and felt the same about it… like it tasted overwhelmingly strongly of clove and that artificial cinnamon taste and I really didn’t like it.

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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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Sonoma County, California, USA

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