Coconut Chai

So without thinking, I dropped 2 sachets into a pot of milk and water and let it simmer away for a few minutes.

I take a sip. SPICY. My initial reaction was just “ooh gurl no” until I realized this stuff must be potent enough not to need to be doubled for this preparation. Although I think maybe I’d use 2 for 12 oz of liquid. So I filled my mug with more milk and microwaved it for 20 seconds to get it warm again.

I’m kind of disappointed this doesn’t actually contain any coconut. So it doesn’t really taste like coconut…it doesn’t even smell like coconut.

However I can drink this chai! It has more of a well rounded group of spices compared to the only other chai I have right now…the very clove-y one. But this one is peppery too, and I can taste cardamom and cinnamon and nutmeg and everything. Just…no coconut.

I’m even using coconut milk in here but it’s one that never really imparts a flavor, so there’s no use relying on it. Booooo. I’ll definitely be on the lookout now for a coconut chai that contains some legitimate coconut flakes.

After reading Meghann M’s and JacquelineM’s reviews of this, I decided I had to try it. I made a semi-unexpected trip to Louisville yesterday, and stopped in World Market whilst there (really, I couldn’t not stop, could I?). I picked up a tin of this and some other teas.

It’s not nearly as spicy as I was expecting/fearing (I do that with all chais, yes, I need to stop). The coconut flavor isn’t overwhelming, but is definitely there and blends well with the spices. I think I might like Adagio’s Thai Chai a bit better, but I really like that this is in bags. It’s destined to become my work-chai because of that.

I think I’ll try it at 5 minutes next time…let’s see how strong the spice can get.

thanks VariaTEA!

this was very cool! like a coconut spice cake…. i erred too much on the side of caution and understeeped. sigh. i tried to resteep…. i think i really like this, but i can’t tell because of operator error- argh!

based half way on what i tasted and half way with what i think would of happened i will number-ify-y-y.

really! not bad for a bagged tea! most of them i taste paper, not in this case! =0)

=0( don’t do a three minute steep.

I believe it was you, Ashmanra who sent me this beaute! thank you for the generous sample!!
Just a quick note today. I am so sleepy…
This one is strong boy! whew. Not for the faint of heart. but it is good. Heavy on the coconut, and spices… it has tons of flavour. and caffeine to.
However… Because of the in-yo-face factor, I think I really need to be in the mood, which I was when I had my cuppas :)
Also, it’s very sweet on it’s own. No sugar added! I guess that is the coconut’s fault huh!
Thanks again Ashmanra
Rating: 83

Full review – tomorrow – April 1st on http://sororiteasisters.com/ but here are snippits:

A big THANK YOU to Marcel Duchamp for this sample!

I really have to be in the mood for a chai. Coconut Chai Tea from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea was really calling to me today. Sent to me from a Steepster.com friend, and I am happy for it, I am sipping a yummy chai with a nice hint at coconut, and a slight taste of vanilla. No vanilla is listed in the ingredients but I taste it nonetheless. Must be how the coconut gives the tea a light milky and nutty flavor combined with the typical spices in chai. Regardless, I am really enjoying this chai from Zhena’s.

I will say if you are expecting a really coconutty tea, this isn’t it. Honestly I would not mind a bit more coconut flavor myself, but I am satisfied with it being lightly flavored.

This is probably one of my favorites from Zhena’s, and I just noticed that they have a new green coconut chai… may have to look for it the next time I’m in Whole Foods!

This is yummy. I like that it has a latte feel to it without adding milk – the coconut makes it creamy and rich tasting. Delicious, warm, spicy… and warming me up on this cold afternoon!

My last of this tea! sniffles
Went a little crazy and made it with the flavia milky way swirl packet and some white granular sugar

delicious

Not too sound tooooo much like a snob here, but I was not expecting this much flavour from a bagged tea!

It’s robust and spicy without being in your face about it, and the coconut is fantastic even with the faint sunscreen association I have with coconut.

Thanks Incendiare for the sample!

ssssipdown! (125)

Backlogging from the weekend

I had this with a dab of chocolate ice cream. I have heard other people say ice cream is good in tea and they were right! This was so amazing!! It tastes like one of those 7 layer dessert bars with coconut, chocolate, graham crackers and caramel. Mmmmm so good. Will definitely repeat!!!

I’ve been trying to get in a few coconut chais here and there, and this one so far has been my favourite. I’m always extra impressed because it’s a bagged tea too. The creaminess and spiciness work so well together here. I’ve only got 2 teabags left, but I picked this up at a store just down the street.

Also, I just cleaned both my infusers with Bar Keepers Friend and they look new again.