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VariaTEA drank Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings

6444 tasting notes

I went into Whole Foods today and ended up picking up a few caffeine free options to expand my selection for the remainder of my vacation. This was amongst the few I grabbed because I recalled my roommate saying something about a Bengal Spice tea (though it may not have been this particular one). I neglected to really think about it and if I had taken a moment I might have realized “Bengal Spice” probably meant chai tea which I tend to not be a huge fan of.

Good news, I don’t hate it. The vanilla is really coming through for me and helping tone down the spices. Bad news, spices can only be toned down so much and so I am still getting a chai tea which is really not my favorite thing to drink.

ETA: I added some sugar free (or fat free? Something Jenny approved) Caramel Macchiato creamer and so now the sip starts with a sweet vanilla caramel taste and ends off being a bit nutty given the combination of spices and caramel. Not horrible but definitely weird. Next time, plain milk might be a better option.

Preparation

Boiling 4 min, 15 sec

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My cupboard has grown exponentially since joining this site and I have a lot to share. Feel free to snoop through my cupboard and message me if anything interests you – I am always happy to swap!

For me, flavored teas are definitely my sweet spot. I will most often reach for black teas and rooibos or honeybush blends but I do keep some flavored whites and greens around for when the mood strikes. I have a few herbals/tisanes but most of the time I find myself disappointed by them as they often smell deliciously sweet and then end up tasting tart/sour. I have a little bit of an aversion to pu’erh and oolong teas. I am also wary of florals, earl greys, and chai teas. I do not like overpowering citrus flavors nor do I usually like hibiscus, licorice or chamomile. I love dessert teas – caramel, vanilla, toffee, cookie, cream, and other sweet flavors make me smile. Fruits like strawberry, peach, mango, and pineapples will often catch my attention as well.

I have also realized that although I really enjoy adding frothed milk to some of my teas, if I do not like the tea with zero additives (just in plain water without milk or sugar), I probably won’t drink it. The one exception is flavored matchas which I will happily drink in cold milk if I do not like it mixed with hot water. My theory is if the tea can’t stand on its own then it is not for me and I will more than likely try to swap it out for something else.

Tea Ratings Guide (as of December 10, 2017)
90-100 Teas I NEED on hand at all times
80-89 Teas I want to keep around for a cup every now and then
70-79 Teas I am glad I have around and can experiment with but probably don’t need more than what’s in my cupboard
60-69 Teas I would not turn down a cup of from a friend but that would probably be enough
50-59 Teas I can see why someone would enjoy but are not for me
Under 50 Teas I really did not like and most likely got dumped

Location

Waterdown, Ontario

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