Kama Chai Sutra (Tavalon Tea)

I mentioned just yesterday how versitile chai happens to be. Sometimes though, it’s nice to just go back to the basics. Chai can be enjoyed hot or cold and this Masala style Kama Sutra Chai from Tavalon Tea is no different.

Masala Chai. It’s a classic beverage in India with regional differences in its preparation. Nonetheless there are standard spices included such as cardamom, clove, cinnamon, ginger and black tea. While this blend seems to lack the usual peppercorns, it replaces that with vanilla beans.

Visually this blend is enticingly complex. You can pick out each of the spices easily, and there are plenty of them all. The aroma is lightly spiced with hints of an underlying sweetness.

Kama Sutra Chai brews a wonderful amber liquor. It alsmost reminds me of a malt whiskey. The brewed aroma is much softer than that of the dry leaves. I certainly catch some of the vanilla here.

This tea is just a bit brisk. The spices twinge the tongue and some dryness of the palate occurs. The standard chai spiciness is inherent throughout the brew. The cardamom, clove and cinnamon play in the forefront with the vanilla bean notably taking a backseat.

The palate dryness and the briskness of this tea are appreciably reduced by adding milk and sugar. Traditionally one would add 3 parts milk to 5 parts water, and two or three teaspoons of sugar… but I suggest sugar to taste as three is far too much for me personally. The sugar helps to bring out the profiles for each of the spices.

I would recommend this brew to fans of chai and would suggest adding milk and sugar to this if you prefer it that way. Fans of malty assams may also enjoy this cuppa tea.