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Cameron B. drank Smoky Maple Chai Black Tea by 52teas

4308 tasting notes

From the November subscription box.

I’m not a huge chai person, and I haven’t been loving smoky teas lately, so I’m not terribly excited for this one…

It’s not bad. The base is very earthy with mineral and woody notes, and the smokiness is quite light. I definitely taste clove, cardamom, and ginger. And perhaps a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a touch of black pepper warmth at the end of the sip.

The maple is definitely too subtle for me, though. I love maple and I was really looking forward to it, but there’s barely any here. It’s possible I didn’t get much of the maple candy in my scoop. Perhaps the bottom of the bag will be more maple-y, though it will probably be more peppery as well…

Flavors: Black Pepper, Brown Sugar, Cardamom, Clove, Earth, Ginger, Maple, Mineral, Pepper, Smoke, Spices, Wood

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

I Like This

16 likes

3 comments

Dustin
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I love smoky teas, but you really have to be in the right mood for them.

Cameron B.
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They’re pretty hit-or-miss for me, but there are some I really like.

Mastress Alita
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I normally can’t handle Lapsang Souchong at all (the smokiness is a migraine trigger for me), but I’ve found it is so mild when used in the 52Teas blends I’m okay with it.

People who liked this

Comments

Dustin
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I love smoky teas, but you really have to be in the right mood for them.

Cameron B.
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They’re pretty hit-or-miss for me, but there are some I really like.

Mastress Alita
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I normally can’t handle Lapsang Souchong at all (the smokiness is a migraine trigger for me), but I’ve found it is so mild when used in the 52Teas blends I’m okay with it.

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- January sipdowns: 25
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 25

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing