Rooibos Vanilla Chai

I found this tea rather disappointing. I enjoy Rooibos teas and love vanilla. I didn’t really taste vanilla in this blend.

I got this as a sample, because I was on a tin mission, and they said I got a free sample, the salesgirl was super puzzled when I said ‘Rooibos’ but, I already knew I had weird taste. I quite like this, maybe not as much as my beloved Tulsi Dosha Chai from Teavana, but, this was better than the Rooibos Chai we have. It’s sweet, but not overwhelming.

Actually pretty good with milk & sugar, can’t taste the rooibos at all. (or the vanilla, really, but oh well)

A tasty vanilla rooibos with masala. Its flavor is reminiscent of apple cider: sweet and fruity. In particular, I could taste the cloves. The dry leaves are like a potpourri. Nice!

Another one of my favorites from Adagio. Very spicy and warm.

This tea is strongly clove flavored, in a way that many people might not like. I find it reminds me of my teens when I smoked clove cigarettes, in a very good way. The only complaint I have is the lack of vanilla in this vanilla chai. Its there, I’m sure it is, but its too subtle to taste with the potency of the clove. Do I like this tea, absolutely, would I put vanilla in the name, no.

After first whiff, this tea smells strongly of licorice root, but that’s not one of the ingredients. It also resembles redwood mulch. Upon brewing, it turns a deep caramel brown. The tea liquor aroma reflects cinnamon. Sans sweetener, this tea tastes like medicine with a tinge of orange peel. Blech! With a dollop of brown sugar, my sweetener of choice, I can taste more of the rooibos and the gentle nibbling of the cardamom. Sadly, no scent or taste of vanilla. Even though my partner likes it, I’d only buy this again as a back up for tea latte drinks.

One of the samples I snagged in my recent self-Christmas and good god, was I thoroughly impressed. This is probably the best chai I’ve ever had.

Heavy on the cinnamon and clove, but I absolutely love both flavors so I might be a bit biased. Sweetened with a bit of sugar and hit with a little milk, it was everything I’ve ever wanted in a chai. Second steep was milder but not as much as I’d expected, and still very, very good. Without a doubt, this is one I’ll be getting at least a 3 oz of next time I buy.

Second shot at rooibos teas and I like this one much better than the first one I tried. I’d buy a small amount of this to keep around.

I bought the chai sampler from Adagio and I think that this is the best of the bunch! With a little milk and sugar, it’s so creamy and smooth. You can’t taste the rooibos much, but vanilla and ginger are prominent. If you have a sweet tooth, this makes an excellent low-cal substitute for cake or candy. I will definitely be buying this again when my sample runs out!!