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drank Chai by Books, Beans, and Candles
226 tasting notes

Okay, I’ve had this tea for a while, I’ve just not posted it up here before because I’m lazy. Sue me. ;P

Anyway, this chai is by far my favorite chai of all time. You never forget your first love. :) The black tea probably could be of a higher quality, but I don’t mind that because if it was, it might take away from the wonderfully balanced spices, which are my favorite part. _ Seriously, these people have it right. They make this blend in-house, and I’ve never had a more well-balanced chai, ever. The Indian Chai from Butiki Teas came close, but not close enough. The cardamom notes are just right, and it’s just cinnamon-y enough without being overwhelming, there’s anise there but in the background (not a big fan of anise), there’s even a few hints of nutmeg, and the CLOVES. Oh, the cloves. drools I really can’t wait until winter so I can have an excuse to drink this every day. It’s not fruity, it’s got no vanilla flavoring, it’s just pure unadulterated spicy sweet goodness. Like getting a big whiff of allspice or pumpkin pie spice—it just hits you in your whole face all at once. _____
Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 2 min, 30 sec
2 comments
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Aiko
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I dunno if you remember, but a long time ago I replied to a forum post you made about this chai, lamenting that I had never tried it back when I lived in Birmingham. Well, when I went back to visit my family over Christmas, I stopped by to pick some of this up, and wow, it really is something special. Thanks for turning me on to it! I just wish I could order it online; I didn’t buy near enough when I was there.

teataku
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I know I’m replying a little late, but I’ve been out of town a lot, and I haven’t had much time to myself to get on here. I’m so pleased that a fellow Steepsterite has also tried this tea! I feel so biased sometimes, and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who finds this tea really good. :) I’m glad you like it, genuinely!

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Aiko
Delete

I dunno if you remember, but a long time ago I replied to a forum post you made about this chai, lamenting that I had never tried it back when I lived in Birmingham. Well, when I went back to visit my family over Christmas, I stopped by to pick some of this up, and wow, it really is something special. Thanks for turning me on to it! I just wish I could order it online; I didn’t buy near enough when I was there.

teataku
Delete

I know I’m replying a little late, but I’ve been out of town a lot, and I haven’t had much time to myself to get on here. I’m so pleased that a fellow Steepsterite has also tried this tea! I feel so biased sometimes, and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who finds this tea really good. :) I’m glad you like it, genuinely!

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I very clearly remember my first experience with tea. It was in a Target near my house, and my best friend handed me a cup of chai from the Starbucks inside the store and said, “Try this.” I believe I was about 12 at the time, and from then on, I was completely hooked.

Anyway, as my increasingly weirded out family will tell you, my obsession with tea has (almost) steadily escalated since then. I discovered the world of tea slowly, first with just chai, and then with bagged teas I could get from supermarkets and specialty stores, and then with loose leaf teas. I mostly shop for tea at Teavana, but I also patronize other local shops that I’ve discovered within the last couple of years. I’ve ordered a smattering of teas from a few online places, but I’m always leery of buying tea online, since most of how I select teas in person is by smell… unless I’m at The English Tea Room.

My favorite types of tea are blacks and flavored blacks. And oolongs. Right underneath that are rooiboses and whites, and then greens and herbals, and then mates. I’m always looking for a new favorite, but I appreciate rediscovering old favorites. I like to blend teas, but I never store them that way, mostly because I like to leave myself options.

I prefer nutty/sweet/rich teas to fruity/light-flavored teas or bold/full-bodied teas, but I do try to drink some of everything to widen my palate. I’m always willing to try any tea at least once (except this one tea that Teavana mercifully discontinued… the loose leaf smelled like cheese, I swear). I do perhaps rate teas a little leniently… because I’m not very picky. I will try a tea at least three times before I pronounce that I hate it, and I will always focus on the good aspects of a tea rather than the bad. That’s just how I roll. :3

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Colorado, USA

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