Smoky Maple Chai Black Tea

(52teas (Anne) 2022: 284)

This was just fantastic recently – perfect amount of smokiness, maple sweetness, and just light spicing. No need for milk or sweetener, it was great just plain. I’d maybe like a touch more spicing, but perhaps that would ruin the blend? Not sure. Also, resteeps were excellent. Apparently I’ve been craving a smoky tea and didn’t know it.

Happy Bonfire Night! Today the prompt is to drink a tea with smoky or roasty flavor notes!

I personally can’t handle wood-smoked teas, as the strong smoke aroma gives me migraines. I tend to not like natural smoky notes in green teas (like Gunpowder) but I am fine with mellow natural smoky notes in black teas, like many Chinese blacks have. I didn’t see anything I thought could fill the bill for that, though, so I pulled one of the few 52Teas blends with lapsang in it. At least in the past, the lapsang has been subtle enough compared to the other teas in the blend to not set off my migraine sensor. Hoping for the same with this one!

I’ve mostly been making chais as lattes lately, but I brewed this one plain so I could get a sample in without any additions. I like the aroma… I do get a bit of a pine smoke smell, but not that strong overwhelming waft that turns my head off of smoked teas, and it is mixed with a strong spice aroma, mostly of cardamom and clove. I get a bit of a maple aroma coming out as the tea cools down a bit.

Mmm, I really like this! I get a strong pine flavor with a bit of smokiness, that is nicely balanced with the spices. The maple isn’t a strong note but lends a sweetness that keeps the spices from being too hot; I get a warming tickle at the back of my tongue and throat rather than a burning sensation, so this is pretty easy for me to drink plain. I may still try a latte with some of my packet though, since I think the creaminess will go well with this flavors regardless.

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…