Random tea again!
This pick actually fits right in with my desire to start trying and writing notes for new teas. Right now they tend to get somewhat ignored, because I’m working on sipping down instead. But no more! This is from my most recent tea order, which arrived early this month. I got this random urge to order more chai from The Chai Box, so I chose five new blends to try.
This was a bit of a risky choice IMO, but mostly I ordered it because I was intrigued by the inclusion of elderberries in a masala chai. This tea is meant to be a sort of cold & flu remedy, based on the owner’s grandma’s recipe. I rarely get sick, and when I do I don’t usually want tea, so the concept doesn’t really appeal to me. I was just interested in the taste.
Sadly, I don’t really taste elderberry here. Which isn’t at all surprising considering all the other strongly flavored ingredients that are included. It ends up tasting like a nice, strongly spiced chai that leans a bit toward the savory side of things, due to the fennel and perhaps the tulsi. I definitely taste star anise, though it doesn’t overtake the other spices. I have no idea what brahmi and ajwain taste like, but otherwise I feel like I can taste all of the other spices here, which is impressive, and there aren’t any negative herbal or bitter sort of flavors at all.
Even though I’m wishing for elderberry, I’m still enjoying this cuppa. The spices stand out and yet blend together well, which is a nice balance. It also tastes very fresh, the spices are potent and flavorful. I’m sure it would be lovely prepared stovetop as well.
Flavors: Anise, Cardamom, Clove, Fennel, Ginger, Herbaceous, Savory, Smooth, Spices, Spicy, Star Anise, Tulsi
