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Evol Ving Ness drank Masala Chai by Zen Tea

1403 tasting notes

So, I went shopping in my stash for a chai and came across an unopened packet of this one. The sensible thing to do would be to keep all my chais cloistered together, but I may not have the organizational wherewithal to get this job done .

My neighbours—Bless their hearts—woke me up at four and kept me awake till past seven at which point the condo construction began.

I am knackered, clearly, and need something reliably punchy. Even then, I may not be all that functional, but let’s see.

The past few days, I’ve been drinking lovely delicate French teas and what a delight that has been.

This moment calls for something else entirely, either a fiesty breakfast blend or chai, which is often a breakfast blend plus a whole whack of spice. And that is exactly what this is.

I tend to be a big fan of Anne’s chai blends, so this one has sat neglected for a long while. The spice blend is different but good.

The anise competes with the cardamom. I prefer anise far more in the background, so instead of milk and sweetener, I added a big glug of eggnog. Exactly what is needed here.

The vanilla and creaminess of the eggnog soothe and sweeten the spice and strong base.

It may not be enough to put me in motion, but it is certainly doing much to put me out of my misery.

And I do miss Zen Tea Life.

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6 comments

Cameron B.
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Did you wake up on the British side of the bed this morning? Just giggling at all of the British slang he he.

Evol Ving Ness
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Hahaha, i lived in London for a couple of years some time ago. Occasionally, bits of that slip out. Also, I’ve been watching a bit of British telly lately, so that refreshes things too. And, well, TEA!

Evol Ving Ness
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Also, I see only one British-ism in my post plus telly.

Cameron B.
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Ha ha, I was thinking of “knackered” and “whack of”. Love it!

Evol Ving Ness
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Knackered, yes, but I’ve never considered a whack of something to be particularly British. That said, we, Canadians, use a lot more British-isms than Americans do. Ha! Who knows?

Cameron B.
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Maybe it’s not? It’s just not something I ever hear in the States, but I’ve heard it on British shows I think.

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Cameron B.
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Did you wake up on the British side of the bed this morning? Just giggling at all of the British slang he he.

Evol Ving Ness
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Also, I see only one British-ism in my post plus telly.

Cameron B.
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Ha ha, I was thinking of “knackered” and “whack of”. Love it!

Evol Ving Ness
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Knackered, yes, but I’ve never considered a whack of something to be particularly British. That said, we, Canadians, use a lot more British-isms than Americans do. Ha! Who knows?

Cameron B.
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Maybe it’s not? It’s just not something I ever hear in the States, but I’ve heard it on British shows I think.

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A monk sips morning tea

A monk sips morning tea,
it’s quiet,
the chrysanthemum’s flowering.

- Basho

(1644-1694)

Note to self—-you do not actually need any more tea.

My real tea obsession began in February 2015.

Not, sadly, when I had been living and working in China, though I very much enjoyed sampling a variety of teas during my travels there as well. No, no, that would have been far too sensible.

I am a reformed coffee drinker. I still enjoy a long double espresso with a good quantity or milk or cream from time to time, but for now, tea is my thing. All day.

*note—this is way out of date, so if we are doing a swap and you are checking to see what I like and dislike, mostly never mind what you find below. One of these days, I will update this. In the meantime, check what I’ve been drinking and use your own judgement. I like all the teas. Well, I am open to trying all the teas.

I tend to drink black, green, or oolong tea in the morning to early afternoon. Rooibos or
Honeybush or herbal in the evening. And perhaps some sort of sleepy-type tea in the wee hours.

This year, I’ve been discovering flavoured teas, so it may look like that is all I drink although that would provide a false impression.

Not a big fan of chocolate or mint in teas, but I will try them and, from time to time, have been pleasantly surprised. Also, usually I dislike a prominent cinnamon flavour, if untempered with other things, in teas. Again, I say usually, because there are exceptions.

Also, please note that haven’t quite gotten into the habit of updating my tea cupboard on Steepster, and it is unlikely that I will do this on any kind of regular basis.

I drink my tea black and unsweetened. If there comes a rare moment that I add something to it, I will mention it.

Finally, while I thank large and successful tea companies for tantalizing and beckoning me to the world of tea, I prefer to support independent ventures with real people, real enthusiasm and commitment, and real dreams.

Currently, I am researching monthly tea subscriptions. Perhaps it will keep me out of tea shops.

And here is Shae’s rating scale— which I am using with permission, of course— which more or less describes the way I have been rating teas. I am going to make more of an effort to stay very close to these parameters now.

Rating Scale

1-20: By far, one of the worst teas I’ve tasted. I most certainly will not finish my cup and will likely “gift” the rest to my sweet husband who almost always enjoys the teas I dislike (and vice versa).

21-40: This tea is not good but if I mix it with another tea or find another steeping method I might be able to finish it.

41-60: This one is just okay. I might drink it again if someone were to give it to me, but I probably won’t be buying more for myself.

61-75: This is a consistently good tea. It’s reliable but not necessarily special.

76-90: This one is a notch above the rest and I would gladly enjoy a cup of it any day of the week. I’ll likely be keeping this in my cupboard, but it isn’t one of my all-time favorites.

91-95: One small change and this tea would be perfect. I’ll definitely have a stash of this in my kitchen if you come over for tea.

96-100: No words can describe this tea. It’s an experience, an aha moment. Closed eyes, wide smile, encompassing warmth. Absolutely incredible. Perfect.

Location

Mostly, but not always, Toronto, Canada.

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