Holiday Chai

Bagged
Aroma when Dry: Bright, balanced spicy, with a creaminess
After water is first poured: creamy, sweet, slight spice
At end of steep: smooth creamy spice/sweet evening out.

Staple? Yes, might stock up on some more for the year– unsure as of yet, as it is weaker, and milder then I make when I do stovetop chai.

Time of day preferred: Afternoon, evening
Taste:
first notes: sweet, light, creamy, velvety and mild. Can taste cinnamon, slight ginger. No bitterness from the black.
As it cools? notes blend, but the cardamom and black tea surface a bit more, bringing in a bolder hint of bite.
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? A few oz of steamed milk, and half a teaspoon of raw sugar
Lingers? Yes, velvet and creaminess stay, but the spice disappears quickly.

A very drinkable chai, with a nice amount of spice. This is wonderful for warming in the winter. There’s no particular spice note that’s predominate in this blend, just a good mix. Delightful with a splash of milk.

I tend to mentally categorize Chai teas into one of three categories: Sweet Chai (blends that are heavy on the cinnamon and/or contain vanilla), Savory Chai (blends that are heavier on the ginger or cardamom), and Balanced Chai (blends that strike a happy medium between the two; these tend to be my favorite!). Holiday Chai from Numi is definitely on the savory end of the spectrum, with a heavy cardamom flavor, a strong bite of ginger, and an unexpected anise note that pops out mainly in the aftertaste. This is a Chai that I’d have to add sweetener to before really enjoying it. I’ll finish what I have, but this isn’t something I’ll be reaching for again.

Brewed like normal black tea with milk added afterward. Unlike other chai I’ve tried, the anise stood out the most in this one.