Indian Chai

Reviewed by liber-teas.

You may have noticed that I have been reviewing a lot of spiced chai teas lately. That’s because as soon as the weather begins to suggest that autumn is here (or even on it’s way!) I dive in to the warm, spiced teas.

There is just something so unbelievably comforting about a spiced chai tea latte. Creamy, rich, warm with spices and just a little sweet too. It’s such a rewarding experience.

This Indian Chai from Element Tea has a very inviting aroma. The scent of cardamom and cinnamon greets me first, and then is followed by ginger and just a hint of vanilla.

The flavor is smooth and robust. The spices are not overpowering – the black tea has a very strong presence in this blend. It is rich and full-flavored, and the spices seem to enhance those qualities. The vanilla in this blend gives a hint of sweetness and touch of creaminess to the tea.

This is a pretty “even-tempered” chai tea, it is not overly spiced, but it isn’t bland by any stretch of the imagination. It has a warm, calm presence, but at the same time it is quite invigorating. A contradiction? No, rather, it is just perfect for this kind of morning: although it is cold and overcast, there is a certain calmness to the gray chill. This chai greets that calmness with equal amounts of tranquility and introduces a sense of comforting warmth.

Element Tea describes this tea as:

This is the real thing! Rich, Indian Black tea is combined with cardamom and cinnamon. This national drink of India is traditionally served with milk and sugar.

Ingredients: Premium Indian Black Tea, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Vanilla

I enjoyed this tea as a latte, I brewed it in water, adding a bit more leaf to the water to concentrate the flavor. Then I heated some milk and whipped it to a fluffy froth, and poured the hot, brewed tea over the milk and added a dollop of honey. It was quite a decadent morning treat! This tea is also quite good served without the latte – with just a little honey or sugar to bring out the more elusive tones of the spices.