Pumpkin Chai

I think I would have liked this one more if the clove wasn’t so strong. There was a definite pumpkin flavor, which I like, but it was hard to pick out at times because of the clove. I think if the other spices (cinnamon, cardamom, and black peppercorn) held the same weight as the clove this would be an absolute winner for me. As it is, this is just ok.

Backlog:

In my full-length review of this tea – http://sororiteasisters.com/2014/10/27/pumpkin-chai-blend-from-52teas/ – I found myself wondering if this blend was crafted with 52Teas new black tea base or not. I know that Frank was talking about making another new black tea base but I wasn’t sure if this tea was crafted using that new blend.

Anyway, I enjoyed the black tea base here, it was strong, smooth and robust. A wee bit of astringency but I didn’t find it bothersome.

The flavor of pumpkin shines through. A good amount of spice! A warm spicy chai! I found myself wanting a little more pepper but overall, I enjoyed the spices here, and I liked that I could taste the pumpkin.

2021 Sipdown 88/365!

Note for the Frank version of this tea. Which was, unfortunately, underwhelming – astringent and not as flavourful as one would have expected from a chai. I prefer DavidsTea’s pumpkin chai. I can’t remember if I’ve actually tried the Anne version of this, but I probably have it somewhere.

My package from 52 teas came in the mail. It was interesting to watch the tracking information on this small package. The packages originate from Wichita and I live a mere 3 hours away in KC. This package left Wichita on Monday and didn’t arrive until Saturday? I watched the package pass through KC in route to Des Moines and then back track to Kansas City, Kansas, hang out in a sorting facility for 2 days and then make it to Kansas City, MO where it finally reached my mail box. I think there might have been a small woops on the USPS part on this one.

Anywho, onto this tea. I had been craving a pumpkin something, so when I saw this posted I grabbed a pouch. I will be honest. This was a little bit of a let down. So in my head I have this idea of spices that make up and chai and a spice tea. (maybe to others they are the same thing, but I have this idea they are different). This for me was similar to an orange spice tea with out the orange. It was a slightly creamy spice tea. Not my favorite, but it will not go to waste.

52teas has officially changed their business model! They now offer all their teas in 0.5 oz. non-resealable packages. I think it kind of sucks that these pouches don’t have zippers, but I do like that I can now buy smaller quantities of tea. As Frank said when he released the news, we all have cupboards that are overflowing with too much tea! He’s also charging for shipping now. Each half ounce of tea costs $3.99 plus $2.00 shipping. So in total, we’re getting much less tea at a higher cost. That part bites. I used to pay $9 for 1-2 ounces of tea (usually 2). Now I’m paying $6 for 0.5 ounce of tea. Boo! Well, that’s the price of convenience I guess. Okay, enough about that.

ON TO THE TEA!

First note! Woot! The dry leaf aroma is very aromatic and spicy. The brewed tea aroma is still spicy but less so. Hmm, I don’t think I steeped this long enough. While it’s still steaming hot, it’s pretty tasteless. I added some Truvia and once the cup cooled, I got a slightly creamy slightly spicy taste. The flavors are very soft and not what I’d expect from a chai tea at all.

I decided to re-steep the leaves for 5.5 minutes. This cup is similar but maybe a little more flavorful. I added Truvia again, and I am enjoying this cup. It’s good, not amazing. I’m definitely glad I don’t have two ounces of it. Is that too harsh to admit? It’s not incredibly pumpkin-y or spicy for that matter. I think I prefer other vendors’ Pumpkin Chai teas. This is pretty calm in comparison but drinkable. And now my baby is kicking up a storm! Settle down, little one!