Masala Chai. It’s a classic beverage in India with regional differences in its preparation. Nonetheless there are standard spices included such as cardamom, clove, cinnamon, ginger and black tea. While this blend seems to lack the usual peppercorns, it replaces that with vanilla beans.

Visually this blend is enticingly complex. You can pick out each of the spices easily, and there are plenty of them all. The aroma is lightly spiced with hints of an underlying sweetness.

Kama Sutra Chai brews a wonderful amber liquor. It alsmost reminds me of a malt whiskey. The brewed aroma is much softer than that of the dry leaves. I certainly catch some of the vanilla here.

This tea is just a bit brisk. The spices twinge the tongue and some dryness of the palate occurs. The standard chai spiciness is inherent throughout the brew. The cardamom, clove and cinnamon play in the forefront with the vanilla bean notably taking a backseat.

The palate dryness and the briskness of this tea are appreciably reduced by adding milk and sugar. Traditionally one would add 3 parts milk to 5 parts water, and two or three teaspoons of sugar… but I suggest sugar to taste as three is far too much for me personally. The sugar helps to bring out the profiles for each of the spices.

I would recommend this brew to fans of chai and would suggest adding milk and sugar to this if you prefer it that way. Fans of malty assams may also enjoy this cuppa tea.

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Masala chai (which means tea in Hindi) is a wonderfully complex beverage. A blend of CTC style Assam with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and more offers a veritable cornucopia of flavors to entertain your palate.

Masala chai is consumed the world over in a great many styles and flavors as well. Different regions in India make this classic beverage different ways. Some add plenty of milk and sugar, some drink it without softening, and others simply differ on the proportion of each ingredient.

This Vanilla Bean Chai from 52teas is a wonderfully unique tea with a palatable flavor profile even without the softening effects of milk and sugar. I’ve always preferred chai with those items though. It could be because that’s how some Indian friends of mine have taught me to make it. Or simply because that’s how I’ve always had it.

I don’t mind stepping outside the box now and again, and I’ve frequently enjoyed the flavors Frank over at 52teas has been able to put together for everyone. This chai is no exception there.

The dry mix has plenty of vanilla bean pieces and large ginger root chunks. A closer look reveals large brown pieces of cinnamon amongst the CTC Assam pellets as well. The dry aroma contains more vanilla and cardamom than anything else.

The concoction brews a dark amber liquor which provides wonderfully spicy aroma. Here I catch more cinnamon and ginger amongst the malty Assam freshness and light vanilla sweetness.

This very flavorful brew has plenty going on. While it dries the palate quickly and remains astringent throughout it’s less stern than I expected. Perhaps that’s the vanilla beans speaking. The cinnamon and cardamom blend well with the ginger and the lightly malty Assam to create an easy to drink tea.

I recommend this blend to fans of vanilla, ginger and chai. If you don’t like spiced teas or cinnamon you will not enjoy this blend.

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Friday is Black Tea, Floral Tea, Fruit Tea, Chai and Pu’erh Review Day!

This pretty coconut rooibos chai blend from Mighty Leaf Tea is a splendid example of a tea which comes close, but misses the ball. Aromatic and spicy Coco Chai Rooibos still comes out just a bit too weak.

Even the name makes this blend sound delicious. And as a fan of coconut, rooibos and chai, how could I not fall in love with this blend.

This coconut roobos chai blend also has cardamom, ginger and peppercorns which create a deep red liquor (color) when brewed.

This tea smells heavily of chai spices with notes of pepper and honey and only the tiniest hint of coconut. I was really hoping for something more bold here with some real coconut infusion and more intriguing spice notes.

All the spices add up to a cup of tea which dries the palate a bit too much. You can certainly taste the spice, cardamom, peppercorn and even the sweetness of the rooibos. But the coconut again decides not to reveal itself.

Sadly this tea brews a bit weak for what the aroma portends it to be which is a mismatch. I’d hoped for more coconut to pull through  and really act like a star in this blend. I was disappointed.

I recommend giving this brew a try, but double up on the recommended dosage of the blend. It will be tastier that way even if  the coconut still doesn’t really have an impact.

Friday is Black Tea, Floral Tea, Fruit Tea, Chai and Pu’erh Review Day!

This delectably smooth Coconut infused Masala Chai from Yogic Chai coats the mouth with creamy goodness.

I’ve reviewed a couple of Chai teas here already. Actually, if you’ve been paying attention I always note that Chai simply means “tea” once you whiddle it down… so “Chai Tea” is a redundant statement. But I digress…

Malasa Chai is what most people think of when they hear “Chai.” This specific spin on Masala… adding the perfect blend of Coconut is very well done.

This blend is not too soft, but not too bold. Perfect for a chilly day, or in the evening to relax. With a light & sweet aroma hinting at caramel and coconut tones you can still tell this is a Masala chai.

The flavor is smooth and coats the mouth. The coconut comes out here, but not in force. Just enough to hold your attention on it. Like all Masala Chai teas, this one is intrinsically spicy and reminds me of a warm Apple Cider.

If you like spiced teas, apple cider, chai, coconut or hot cocoa I really recommend this blend for you.