The first time I tried chai was with a friend at Starbucks I believe, back in 2002. So even though I don’t really know what chai is supposed to taste like, I like it anyway. Since then, I’ve been on some kind of mission to find good chai. I’ve forgotten all the various brands and types I’ve tried. There was a powder and liquid form from Trader Joe’s. Tea bags are better. But every time I think I found a great one, I find another seemingly better one. Honest Tea’s version is very mild for example, but still good. I found Zhena’s Gypsy Tea at Berkeley Bowl in California. I’m sure they sell it here too in some obscure store somewhere. I’ll probably have to look around. But this chai is very very good. I’m reluctant to say it’s the best I’ve had thus far because it could be the recency effect. Besides, I can’t recall the past ones I’ve tried. But then again, I haven’t purchased them again either so they probably can’t be all that great right? I did get more Honest Tea chai teabags but that’s it. For now, I think I’m sticking with this one until I find another brand. It’s very flavorful like the Starbucks version, but without the syrupy sweetness.
Ingredients for the Gypsy King Chai (the coconut chai is similar, just with added coconut flavoring): Black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom pods, whole cloves, orange peels, nutmeg, black pepper
mmm coconut chai sounds awesome