Friday TeaDay 6/19/09 Masala Chai, fringe tea part III?

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Fringe teas continued. Masala Chai, do you ever drink it? Please share your thoughts on this most unusual spicey tea that could only come from India. I am including a link for those who would like more info on "Chai."

Oh yeah, love Masala Chai!
12
27%
I drink it occasionally
15
34%
Rarely
10
23%
Have not yet, but want to
3
7%
Have not yet and not inclined to try it
3
7%
Never heard of it
1
2%
 
Total votes: 44

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Friday TeaDay 6/19/09 Masala Chai, fringe tea part III?

by Chip » Jun 19th, '09, 00:39

Good TeaDay everyone, please come in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday most responders said no to Kombucha in a rather "lively" discussion. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Fringe teas continued. Masala Chai, do you ever drink it? Please share your thoughts on this most unusual spicey tea that could only come from India. I am including a link for those who would like more info on "Chai." Enjoy.


Look here for info on Masala Chai!

I am looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone...bottoms up!

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Jun 19th, '09, 01:36
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by Salsero » Jun 19th, '09, 01:36

It is one of my deepest, darkest secrets that I just love masala chai. Seldom do I indulge, but I always love it ... fresh brewed and homemade, never from a premixed concoction.

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Jun 19th, '09, 02:20
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by sneakers » Jun 19th, '09, 02:20

My Indian-American customer introduced me to it, although I usually drink my tea without milk or sugar. The first time, I felt like my mouth was aflame. Either the ginger or black pepper were overwhelming. She gave me some mixture to take home, but I found it far too spicy. After that, she remembered to cut down on the spices for my cup. Recently I discovered Silver Tips (silvertipstea.com) Choco Chai, which is far milder, with just a hint of chocolate. It's a pleasant change from regular tea. I still drink it without milk or sugar.

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Jun 19th, '09, 02:55
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by rabbitsib » Jun 19th, '09, 02:55

This is a drink that I do not drink much, besides it takes a lot of time to make. I haven't tasted a chai that I really enjoyed but found I enjoyed it most with Soy Milk not milk. It gives a nutty like taste. As all should know that this tea is deferent from one family to another.

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by Proinsias » Jun 19th, '09, 04:36

Rarely. We usually have semi skimmed milk in the house which I don't fell does the chai much justice. Creamy milk, nice honey and a good whisking.

Some Makaibari green this morning

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by Drax » Jun 19th, '09, 05:28

When I go to a Thai restaurant, there's a 60% chance I will order chai... :D I don't order it too often, though, because of all the added sweetness/sugars. For me, it's more like a desert.

In any case, this morning, I'm being ultra lazy and I'm continuing to brew this pot of 1980s Liu An. It's good stuff, though, and even the 11th brew here is quite enjoyable, as I'm sure the 12th will be :D

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Jun 19th, '09, 05:39
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by sriracha » Jun 19th, '09, 05:39

Good morning everyone.

I drink chai mostly in the form of pre-blended black tea + spices, I don't make it myself from scratch. I have a tin of Tea Forté's Bombay Chai on my shelf, I think I'm half way through it. It's good but very strong.

Sometimes I buy Yogi Tea which is just the spices, it contains no tea leaves. It's an autumn/winter thing for me though so I wouldn't make any in the summer even though ours has been miserably cold and rainy so far.

I awoke at around 8.00 today to the loud crash of a flowerpot hitting the floor, one of the cats is in the habit of poking it whenever she's hungry/bored and now it finally fell over. Hope she refrains from this from now on.

After that I slept for 3 more hours since I'm working the night shift tonight-20.00-0830. Despite a rather stressful dream about being totally, irredeemably late for work(also, British band XTC featured in the dream, mostly just sitting on a couch. I remember asking Andy Partridge his age though. He wouldn't tell)
I woke again in a great mood, to the sound of sparrows chirping outside. Haven't decided on which tea to make yet, I'm still on my hot water/lemon juice/powdered ginger/nettles infusion which is the first thing I drink, every day.

First song of the day will be Underworld's Two months off, it reflects my mood nicely . =)

I know the summer solstice is still a couple of days off, but here in Sweden the public holiday is today so I'd like to wish you all a happy Midsummer!


Oh and I voted for "I drink it occasionally" btw.

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Jun 19th, '09, 05:57
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by Jack_teachat » Jun 19th, '09, 05:57

I had something called Masala Tea the other day, not sure if it was proper Chai, but was quite nice!

I have just posted a thread in the tea business section asking for some advice on setting up a tea bar here in the UK, would really appreciate any contributions. :D

Started the day with The London Cuppa

http://www.thelondoncuppa.com/ Speakers on please!


Jack :lol:

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Jun 19th, '09, 08:11
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by chad » Jun 19th, '09, 08:11

I really enjoy chai but only indulge occassionally.

Monkey Picked Oolong this morning.

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by Dreamer » Jun 19th, '09, 08:35

I've had bag stuff labeled "chai" but haven't really enjoyed it...tasted like licking a spice bottle.

This morning I'm enjoying a half and half mix of Assam and Kenilworth Ceylon and having a couple of buckwheat banana pancakes with peanut butter on them. Life is good.

Have an awesome day, All,
Dreamer

P.S. Jack, thanks for the "cuppa"! And Sriracha, "Yeah Midsummer!!! Enjoy your holiday!"

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Jun 19th, '09, 08:39
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by Riene » Jun 19th, '09, 08:39


I voted "not inclined to try." I don't like ginger or anise, and I can't fathom black pepper in tea. I've been given several boxes and cans of chai, which I quietly leave in the office break room.

I like spiced tea, though, and will drink that mixture of instant tea, Tang, cinnamon, and sugar when I have a sore throat! :lol:

Golden Monkey in my cup this morning.
Although my neighbors are all barbarians,
And you, you are a thousand miles away,
There are always two cups on my table.
--Tang Dynasty

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Jun 19th, '09, 08:47
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by xuancheng » Jun 19th, '09, 08:47

sriracha wrote:I know the summer solstice is still a couple of days off, but here in Sweden the public holiday is today so I'd like to wish you all a happy Midsummer!
Happy Midsummer everyone!

I don't think I have ever had proper Masala Chai, but would like to.

If anyone hasn't done so yet, I would strongly reccomend going on youtube and watching some videos of vendors pouring Masala Chai to make it foamy. Some of the better videos make the pouring look absolutely unbelievable. I would link some good ones, but youtube is blocked where I am.

Had baihao Yinzhen, Baoyan mini bing, some nice TGY and large leaf green tea today. Oh and some average Oriental beauty.
Last edited by xuancheng on Jun 19th, '09, 08:50, edited 1 time in total.

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Jun 19th, '09, 08:49
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by Katrina » Jun 19th, '09, 08:49

Love, love, love chai. There are many on the market, but not many done well. I love that there can be such a diversity of recipes and combinations. I'm currently trying to extract a recipe from my friend's fiancee who (like so many) claims that HER family has the best recipe ever. :lol: I have found a few vendor-made blends that are simply outstanding.

Brewing Golden Monkey at the moment. It is (another) gray rainy day here. This June has felt like April here in Boston!

Only about a week and a half until the essay deadline for my book project. It's getting busy around here! (There's still time for the rest of you to submit though!)

Happy Friday everyone.
Visit my website and blog at http://www.teapages.net and http://teapages.blogspot.com

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by xuancheng » Jun 19th, '09, 08:58

Katrina wrote:There are many on the market, but not many done well. ... I have found a few vendor-made blends that are simply outstanding.
If I remember correctly Katrina just reviewed about 6 different kinds of Chai on her blog not long ago.
茶也醉人何必酒?

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by Aphroditea » Jun 19th, '09, 09:08

In the winter I usually make big batches and have it nearly every morning. :D

There are mornings where I crave it but don't have the time to hand make it, so I have some of Adagio's Masala Chai and steep it up then add milk and honey. I never add sugar, even on the stovetop, always honey. And my rule of thumb is "When the tip of my tongue goes numb, it's perfect!" :shock:

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