I was a bit skeptical of the five minute infusion time with this one, but went with it… hopefully it won’t bite me! I used ~1.5tsp in ~8oz. water. The aroma is of a light, creamy-ish chai. Of course, I have the second infusion of the potent Coconut Chai from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea sitting next to me, so it’s difficult to say if it’s truly a light aroma, or just comparatively.
First impression is that this is quite a light chai, perhaps ever watery. However, the spices kick in a bit after the initial sip to help things along. I can definitely taste the creaminess in the tea, whether from the coconut or flavouring, and it’s enjoyable. I must say, this tea is growing on me the more I sip it. It definitely doesn’t need milk or sweetener (I don’t think it would hold up to milk, personally), and that’s a big plus in my book.
Overall, it’s a reasonable chai, and I’m happy enough to be drinking it, but especially after the other aforementioned chai incarnation, it probably won’t win a spot in my tea cupboard (and by cupboard we mean assorted collection of cardboard boxes stashed under my desk so the boyfriend doesn’t think I’m a total crazy!)
I’m wishing that I had ordered the mate or rooibos version of this tea, just for curiousity. However, I did not, and I’m on an indefinite tea-purchase hiatus since I have not been drinking much tea at all lately, and may not do so until this darn Masters degree has been completed.
ETA: Drank the rest after it had cooled, and this is not a weak chai, for sure! Not super strong, but definitely has a spicy kick. I read the other reviews, and can see where the coconut isn’t outstandingly obvious, however I do believe that the creaminess in this tea that makes it drinkable without sweetener/milk is in part due to the coconut. I could be wrong, but I don’t drink too many chais straight as I find the spices simply too overwhelming, with a base that’s too astringent. Not a problem, here!
Preparation
Comments
Good to hear. Before the coconut was blended earlier and now it’s added right before shipping which would make the tea creamier than when I tasted it and also less clove heavy.
Yeah, I was reading your post – I’m not sure whether I would have received pre-blended stuff or had it added right before shipping; I’ve had this tea for at least a week, and it spent about a week in transit from Azzrian to me. Either way, I think it would only be better with a coconuttier flavour. Like the coconut pouchong type of coconut flavour, plus chai spicing. Yummy!
I think so too. It’s hard to find a good coconut chai if not almost impossible so far. I hope that this gets worked on till it’s perfected.
I finished perfecting it yesterday guys :)
I’d also VERY VERY VERY much recommend the mate and rooibos versions. Cheers!
Good to hear. Before the coconut was blended earlier and now it’s added right before shipping which would make the tea creamier than when I tasted it and also less clove heavy.
Yeah, I was reading your post – I’m not sure whether I would have received pre-blended stuff or had it added right before shipping; I’ve had this tea for at least a week, and it spent about a week in transit from Azzrian to me. Either way, I think it would only be better with a coconuttier flavour. Like the coconut pouchong type of coconut flavour, plus chai spicing. Yummy!
I think so too. It’s hard to find a good coconut chai if not almost impossible so far. I hope that this gets worked on till it’s perfected.
I finished perfecting it yesterday guys :)
I’d also VERY VERY VERY much recommend the mate and rooibos versions. Cheers!
And as a side note – it is now VERY coconutty :D