Zulu Chai

So i figured i’d try this again tonight since it’s cold and dreary outside AND i wanted something that was non caffeinated. While this isn’t a terrible blend overall, it’s just not what i want in a chai. Maybe it’s te anise but there’s something in this one that just makes me want to sneeze (or the black pepper?) I tried to add a bit of milk to it to see if that changed how i felt about it and it turns out…not so much.

Backlog:

The third and final tea from the Amoda Tea Tasting Box for the month of November. I liked this Rooibos Chai, easily one of the best Rooibos Chai blends I’ve had. I liked the way the spices were brought together.

Not surprisingly, it is very fragrant. Dry, I smell the anise and the cardamom. Brewed, I smell the cinnamon and clove with notes of anise and orange in the background.

The organic rooibos can be tasted, but the flavors meld well with the other flavors of the chai … it completes the flavor very nicely, actually. The orange acts to brighten up the cup without playing a strong role in the overall cup, and the spices are warm and spicy without tasting spicy hot … this one warmed me up from the inside out.

First before I forget – who was looking for Sleepytime Vanilla overseas? I found a few boxes today.

After all the talk about Assam today, I thought it fitting that I drink one of their teas this evening as I start to wind down. Rooibos-based chai, and I can tell immediately it’s heavy on the pepper and cardamom. If you like that sort of thing, it’s delicious. I found it pretty dull tasting until I added some Truvia, and then it perked up with strong licorice accents and again, cardamom and pepper. There’s some ginger I think floating around too, and orange comes in very, very faintly. I wish there was more orange. Odd steep time listed on this bag (3 minutes for a rooibos?) however I followed it.

A decent chai, and probably amazing if I added some coconut milk. Alas, I’m too lazy to go find some, as I sit, watch Bones, and get all of the nametags ready for the 20s-themed murder mystery on Tuesday.

I have no idea if this is from my Amoda box or a share from someone else (but if it’s a share, it’s from Sil, so thanks if so!)

This is an interesting-smelling chai. Heavy on the cinnamon and peppery flavours (ginger, in part). Not loving the rooibos base, which isn’t too surprising, though I was pleased that the spicing was strong, so it would probably take decently to milk + sweetener. Not my preferred spicing, though (not enough cardamom) nor base, so this isn’t one I’ll seek out again once it’s gone. However, probably a decent chai for those who like spicier rooibos versions.