Bombay Chai

This chai is a little weaker for the first half of the cup, but then becomes stronger towards the end. Normally I am a fan of this sort of heterogeneity, but the initial taste is fairly weak, and even near the bottom of the cup, it is still weaker than most other chais. I would recommend using more than the recommended amount/per unit water. The recommended steeping directions create a less than satisfying tea experience. The tea itself is fine, no bitterness, and hints of citrus and orange mixed with faint spices would be a pleasant combination if presented in proper amounts. Milk isn’t necessary, and it may actually harm the flavor of this chai by covering up many of the already subtle flavors.

A nice tea, but less flavorful than other chais I’ve tried. It is possible that I used too little tea for the amount of water I used.

I was excited to try this chai from the first burst of cardamom and cloves when I opened the package. It is a little thin when brewed according to the instructions. Admittedly, I drink chai with milk and honey, but the spice is a little disappointing compared to what I learned to mix when I had an Indian roommate at one point. It might improve with a longer steep and a little more generous amount of tea than the directions give.

Love the scents of the spices in this blend for chai. Smells like vanilla too even though I don’t think it is included in the mix. You can definitely smell the cloves and touch of cardamom.
The liquor brings out an orange zest flavor but that must be from the Assam. Now I see the ginger pieces in the wet leaf but they are not very prominent in the flavor. I tasted this plain before adding milk and it definitely has an orange peel with spices flavor. Then added milk and yumm yumm. The clove notes do come thru, clove is very strong so I usually add one whole clove only if I make homemade chai.
I really like this blend for chai. I like to control the sugar content of chai because if you get it at a coffee shop where they have it pre-made,,,,the sugar is off the charts and I think it is too sweet at those places.
This blend is perfectly balanced and needs no sugar in my opinion. Just milk.
Delicious! (Clove really gets into your palate though,, so it will mess with any other things you might be tasting so chai only this morning,, it is!!!!!!)

From the Steepster Select Box, August 2014