Tell Me MoreSuperb body with mellow Indian spice notes. Coppery bright and very enticing with milk; creates a sensory trip to the sub-continent.
In many parts of India there is a saying that loosely translated as: "spiced chai. the tea that eats like a meal" - and in certain parts of India it's true. Traditional Indian chai is a heady mix of spice and tea. Chai recipes are handed down from generation to generation the way westerners pass on grandma's apple pie recipe. The tea is traditionally brewed by boiling milk, adding good thick black tea, various spices and then boiling it again. The resulting mixture is thick, spicy and incredibly full-bodied. If your spoon stands up in the cup, it's ready! Ok, that might be a little over the top, but it's no exaggeration to say that drinking great chai is almost a religious experience. As the brew reaches all the corners of your body it fills you with a warm glow that you will want to experience again and again. Luckily, if you're in India, spicy fresh chai is available just about everywhere. Chai-sellers, known as Chai Wallahs sell their concoctions at roadside stalls, train stations, anywhere you can think of. The tea is served in small clay cups known as chullarhs that are smashed on the ground once the tea is finished. Our Master taster has sampled literally hundreds of chais served everywhere from Bombay to Darjeeling. Of all these, one stands out above all the rest. Just outside of the airport in Guwahati, Assam, there is a cab-stand tucked in behind a local shrine. While waiting for a plane to take him back to Calcutta many years ago, he accepted a cup of chai from the local Wallah. The cup, with its blend of pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and other spices quite literally blew his mind. It was this cup that inspired our version of Indian Spice Chai. So, even if you aren't in India, brew yourself a pot, summon your inner Chai Wallah by calling out "chay-ee! chay-ee" and watch your customers come back time and time again. |
Brewing for Best ResultsIdeal Brewing Temperature: 209°F/98°C.
Minimum Brewing Temperature: 194°F/90°C. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 209°F/ 98°C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 8 oz of fluid water. Steep 3-5 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time, the stronger the tea). Acceptable Pairing: Milk / Sweetener |
Origin
Tea(s) From: China, Blended in the USA Ingredients
Luxury Ingredients: Black BOP teas, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, pepper iced tea instructions
Per Serving: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 209°F/ 98°C. With and infuser, use 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 6-7 oz of fluid water. Steep 10 minutes. Add filtered hot tea to 16 oz glass filled with ice. (Some luxury teas will turn cloudy when poured over ice). Per Pitcher: Makes 1 Quart. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 209°F/ 98°C. Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea in a heat resistant container. Pour 1 ¼ cup of prepared water over the tea leaves. Steep 10 minutes. With a fine mesh sieve, filter the hot tea liquor to the serving pitcher filled with ice. Add cold filtered water to top off. (Some luxury teas will turn cloudy when poured over ice). Brewing tips
Making an amazing cup of tea requires several things. High quality tea, filtered or freshly drawn cold water, correct water temperature, time of infusion, and filters/infusers. Unfiltered water or too hot of water can ruin the best of teas. Always use filtered or freshly drawn cold water. Any flavor from water treatments or heavy minerals such as lime or calcium can taint the water. Brew at the ideal temperature. Too hot of water can scorch the leaves and produce a bitter brew. If you find that the tea is still bitter following the recommended brewing temperature, try lowering the brew temperature another 5 to 10 degrees. Use infusers that allow the tea leaves to fully expand and has full contact with the water. Ditch the tea bags. Know the steeping time for your tea. Too long of steeping can make your tea bitter and undesirable. Too short of time will make a weak tea. Don’t make tea in the microwave. Food safety
We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today’s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illness. Cool the water to the ideal brewing temperature before brewing. allergen notice
Products may be produced on machinery that packages tree nuts, soy, and dairy items. |