Earl Grey Masala Chai

This one sounds a lot more exciting than it was. I love Earl Grey tea. Not this one. More of the tea buds which I have since learned are ctc bop, i just don’t like the flavor. It also tends to keep me up. Better if you use less, but then it just doesn’t have the Earl Grey flavor or any memorable flavor. Unfortunately have a few more that have the buds. They are just not for me

Stove Top Latte Sipdown (274)

E is for…Earl Grey Masala Chai

All the effort of making this on the stovetop and its just not very good. I am picky about chai and earl grey and so the combination of the two didn’t really speak to me. Probably why it took all day for me to start drinking teas in general…not really enthused about my “E” teas.

The top is a brisk bergamot flavor. It is reading potpourri to me. Potpourri and cardamom should not be friends. Vahdam tried to make that happen and its not for me.

Adventaggedon Day 12 – Tea 6/6

Okay, while I am not exactly thrilled to see a fourth Masala in the advent, I will give credit and say that this is VERY different from the others that have been included. Plus, I am super relieved that today isn’t another turmeric day…

The combination of bergamot and cardamom is really working for me today, and I think that’s because bergamot has this perfumed/aromatic citrus note and cardamom has a slight citrusy taste as well mix with the spice complexity, so they’re good compliments to each other. It’s a little strong/forward – more than what I personally want in an Earl Grey blend. I wish I had something else in here to break up that flavour a bit, like a vanilla or some other kind of sweet note. I feel like an addition of honey would be super nice here.

It’s not bad – but I do think I liked the more classic Earl Grey from Mariage Freres, from this morning, a little bit more.

Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIrJJjIAnq9/

Vahdam Advent Calendar – Day 12

Ooh, this sounds very interesting to me. I happen to love Earl Grey, and I tried a cardamom version from New Tea Tea Co that I remember enjoying, so hopefully this is nice too.

The front of the sip is mostly just the chai, with soft cardamom and a bit of clove. The bergamot comes out a bit more toward the end, and it’s a fairly gentle bergamot note. I can taste the cardamom again in the aftertaste.

I do enjoy this, but it feels a bit like two different teas, as the flavors don’t really occur at the same time. It’s not so much an Earl Grey chai, as a tea that starts out as a chai, then switches to Earl, then switches back. Definitely interesting!

(today’s advent teas: https://www.instagram.com/p/CItKDkWgMAT/)

I’ve had Earl Grey and masala chai teas before, but not in the same cup. It has a strong taste, both citrusy and spicy. I steeped the leaves a second time and whilst I expected the flavour to be stronger, it was less so.

320/365

From the chai sampler, which I’ve been keeping since the summer in anticipation of the colder weather. Definitely the right decision! I’ve never had an EG Chai before, and it honestly seems like an interesting concept. They’re not two things I’ve have put together, so I guess we’ll see how that goes.

As it turns out, this is a CTC base, so I kept the brew time short. In flavour terms, it’s mostly chai (composed of cardamon, cinnamon, clove, and black pepper). The cardamon is most prominent, followed by the cinnamon. There’s not much clove, and really no pepper to speak of (which is a shame, because I love pepper, especially in chai). The bergamot is there in the background to begin with, but gains prominence with successive sips. It’s an odd combination, but not unpleasant.

In practice, the CTC base is a little brisk but also quite malty. It works well with the Chai and the EG flavourings, so no complaints there really. I found this an intriguing and unusual blend, and I’d definitely drink it again. I have high hopes for the rest of the sampler now!