Crafted by the restaurants proprietor, Lenny Martinelli, the tea had a fascinatingly spiciness, almost biting the back of the palate along with a large amount of ginger. The drive home was euphoric; mind gently buzzing from the caffeine while the ginger, a natural settler, relaxed and calmed the body.Even though I've since found the original Dushanbe recipe, I am still searching for similar, pre-blended Chai experiences.
Spending a day in Pasadena, CA I stopped by two local tea shops, bought all their chai varieties, and tested them out. I do plan on expanding the sample base. For now, it's a start.
(All teas were steeped for 4 minutes, using filtered, boiling water. 1 teaspoon of tea was brewed loose in a non-scalded ceramic mug with about 8 ounces of water.)
A twist on original chai with the inclusion of lemon grass.
AROMA: lemon grass overwhelms the other scents with a slight spiciness at the end that ensures it is, in fact chai.
FLAVOR: (No Milk/Sugar) Neutral, generic black tea flavor upfront with a slight, lingering spice at the end.
(Milk+sugar) Rounds out the flavor experience, sugar fills in the initial gap at the beginning resulting in a surprisingly similar taste to that of a gingersnap cookie! Overall, not very potent. Light, pleasant flavor with mostly ginger standing out.
A strong version with pungent spices.
AROMA: Powerfully full aroma of cardamom and cinnamon.
FLAVOR: (No Milk/Sugar) The flavor is just as strong as the aroma, instantly filling the palate with a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and smooth vanilla. Finishes with a surprising sweetness.
(Milk+Sugar) Mellows the impact of the spices, but still excellent flavor. A perfect pick-me-up for cold or rainy days.
Prominent fennel supported by chai base.
AROMA: Mostly fennel followed by some slight spice notes.
FLAVOR: (No Milk/Sugar) Really demonstrates how complex fennel can be. Hits the palate with the similar impact of the aroma, then develops into a earthy, nutty, and more savory flavor, slowly leaving on a sweet note. Unique, maybe not the most traditional, but fun.
(Milk+Sugar) Eases the initial impact of fennel, rounding it into an easier experience. Still enjoyable and very interesting!
A more straight forward chai, tasty but doesn't necessarily pop.
AROMA: Light, with a tendency towards cardamom.
FLAVOR: (No Milk/Sugar) Spices evenly mixed, creating a light, even flavor if not especially stand-out. Cardamom and cinnamon take the short lead here.
(Milk+Sugar) Actually brings out more flavors particularly at the end of the sip in which there's a lingering spiciness - perhaps more noticeable now with the contrast of the mellowing milk. Overall, underwhelming when compared to similar varieties.
