Tuesday TeaDay 12/23/08 CHAI?

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Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. I am awaiting some Chai samples from Geek and Chamekke. I wondered, how many TeaChatters have either had or prepared Chai?

I have made and had Chai
22
41%
I have made Chai
0
No votes
I have had Chai
21
39%
Nope, never made it, never had it, but sounds like something I need to try
4
7%
Nope, never had it and am not interested at this time
4
7%
Other
3
6%
 
Total votes: 54
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Dec 23rd, '08, 02:35
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Tuesday TeaDay 12/23/08 CHAI?

by Chip » Dec 23rd, '08, 02:35

Happy TeaDay to everyone. Please come and share what is in your cup today!

Yesterday, the voting was pretty split on personal blending of teas. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. I am awaiting some Chai samples from Geek and Chamekke. I wondered, how many TeaChatters have either had or prepared Chai. Please share your Chai experience or inexperience.

I am certainly looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up.
Last edited by Chip on Dec 26th, '08, 20:53, edited 1 time in total.
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Dec 23rd, '08, 02:59
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by bearsbearsbears » Dec 23rd, '08, 02:59

FIRST

not a chai guy myself.
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Dec 23rd, '08, 03:02
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by Jack_teachat » Dec 23rd, '08, 03:02

Wow first reply! I've had a vanilla chai latte, does that count?! :lol:
Just about to have some Yunnan Gold... Going to dedicate this cup to the English tea store chain Whittard of Chelsea which looks like it's going to go into administration today. Not great tea but still a shame! :(

Edit: Bah beaten to it, curse my hesitant typing! :P
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Dec 23rd, '08, 03:17
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by olivierco » Dec 23rd, '08, 03:17

I have never tasted it but I will soon since some Chai samples are on their way to my mailbox, thanks to Geekgirlunveiled and Chamekke.

Keemun to start the day.
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Lao Cong Shui Xian

by Salsero » Dec 23rd, '08, 04:15

Yep made it and had it. Chai is infinitely variable and always delicious! Since I have taken up with so many other kinds of tea, however, like this Lao Cong Shui Xian, there just doesn't seem to be room on the schedule for it these days.

Image
Last edited by Salsero on Dec 23rd, '08, 11:02, edited 1 time in total.
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by Victoria » Dec 23rd, '08, 05:43

I have had it from a coffee shop and I really liked it when I did. I have never made it, but I have some and now and I'm ready to make up some real soon. Great for a rainy night like tonight.

:)
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Dec 23rd, '08, 07:08
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by omegapd » Dec 23rd, '08, 07:08

I've had the real deal made by some Indian friends once. I nicely finished the cup. It was not to my liking.

I don't mind spice flavored black teas at all. I've even added some ginger and cinnamon to not so good tea, but something about the hot milk mixed in doesn't work for me.
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Dec 23rd, '08, 08:18
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by brandon » Dec 23rd, '08, 08:18

I have made and had Chai. I have never found a brick and mortar shop that would sell a respectable cup, I expect it to be bold and spicy, with enough sweetness to cool it down. Everyone seems to throw this balance out the window.

Although I am planning to sample several loose chai blends next month, the best I have found so far is from Rishi. The recipe involves boiling the tea and spices directly in 1 part whole milk, 2 parts water for a few minutes. Infusing the tea and spices *directly* in all of the liquid, not just a concentrate, makes all the difference. I add a few tablespoons of honey to a large batch to bring up the sweetness. Delicious hot or chilled. Concentrates and Starbucks to go cups can get lost.

Alex wrote about his own Chai blend here:
http://anotherteablog.blogspot.com/2008 ... ottea.html
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Dec 23rd, '08, 09:01
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by Vulture » Dec 23rd, '08, 09:01

Both. I love adagio's masala chai and make it often at work.
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by Chip » Dec 23rd, '08, 09:16

Amazingly, in the 9 years drinking tea, I have never had Chai. Well, tbh, I bought a chai blend when I first started drinking tea from RoT, again their directions were simply generic tea brewing directions and in 1999, TC did not exist for me to hear the real deal. So I just brewed it like regular tea as the directions indicated, no wonder I did not like it.

So, I am anxious to try it and appreciate the samples that are coming from Geekgirlunveiled and Chamekke.

This morning, brewed up the Organic Yabe sencha from Japanese Green Tea Shop, very nice, not overt, a little mellow, but not lacking in flavor. I think this is an easy brewer as well. Sweetie seemed to enjoy it, while a Gandalf, Koi, and Wulong showed passive interest.

Good TeaDay everyone! :D
Last edited by Chip on Dec 23rd, '08, 09:18, edited 1 time in total.
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Dec 23rd, '08, 09:18
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by Riene » Dec 23rd, '08, 09:18


I've never had it, though friends love it. I keep reading the ingredients list and thinking "yuck." I don't like anise-licorise flavor at all, nor do I think pepper belongs in tea.

Taylor's of Harrowgate Scottish Breakfast tea in the mug this morning.
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Dec 23rd, '08, 09:29
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by chad » Dec 23rd, '08, 09:29

I drink chai often but haven't "made" it myself. I've found I like the blend from the shop I buy my other teas and have found several bagged chai blends that are very nice and convenient. I will try making my own one of these days.

Margaret's Hope estate darjeeling in the mug this morning.
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Dec 23rd, '08, 09:38
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by Smari » Dec 23rd, '08, 09:38

Have made and had Chai. I used to make it frequently for my sister and myself when I used to live with her, it was her favorite.

No tea this morning yet; still a little lightheaded from last night's percocet dosage lol. I'm just going to have me a bottle of Adagio's Jasmine iced tea since hot liquids is a no-no for me at the moment.

Sal - that photo gives me such a warm feeling in this 18*F weather here. Lovely as always!
Dec 23rd, '08, 10:25
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by Charlotte » Dec 23rd, '08, 10:25

I haven't tried Chai, but I'm up for almost anything once.

Rishi's Jade oolong in my cup today. Oh my is this nice. I'm on my 4th cup today. Floral - smells like heaven. Nice flavor too. I just may have found a replacement for Teavana's monkey picked oolong. The price is about 1/2 of T's too!
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Dec 23rd, '08, 10:52
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by Cinnamon Kitty » Dec 23rd, '08, 10:52

I love Chai. We used to have a nice Indian restaurant in the town where I went to college that made a nice cup of Chai. Adagio's masala chai is awesome too, but I've never tried it the traditional way of boiling things on the stove. Thanks for the idea of what tea to start my day with.
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