Kashmiri Chai

Another purchase from my 2019 trip to Portland, for the sipdown prompt, “a chai.”

This is a chai on a gunpowder green tea base, and in addition to the cardamom, peppercorn, and clove spices, it has lavender flowers and some almondy flavoring. The unique combination intrigued me, which is why I picked it up. Also, I have a weakness for anything with lavender, and unlike Jasmine Pearl’s “French Breakfast,” I can actually smell the lavender in this blend, so hopefully it holds up in taste, as well.

The spices definitely jump out on the nose, with a peppery, tickly sort of sensation. The slight citrusy fragrance of the cardamom is especially appealing. There is a floral note on the nose as well, which creates a very unique aroma beneath the spices.

I normally am not a fan of gunpowder green tea, but I don’t really taste it here beneath the spices. Perhaps a whisper of a vegetal undertone, and perhaps the inherent smokiness is complimenting the spice. The cardamom and clove create a strong flavor, and the pepper lingers a little after the sip, but there is no burning or unpleasant spicy sensations. The lavender is actually flavorful in this blend, but it is soft and mellow, peeking out beneath the spice notes towards the end of the sip. I don’t taste anything like amaretto flavoring, though… perhaps it’s adding a sweetness that is just smoothing it all out.

I really like this! Been a while since I enjoyed a chai and the cardamom/clove double-punch with the sweeter lavender is really doing it for me this morning. I was so unimpressed with the “French Breakfast” blend by this company, but this blend is ticking all the boxes for me.