Profile : Decaf Chai
Loose - Chai - Decaf - Black Tea
March 14, 2019
CUP CHARACTERISTICS: Robust and full flavored with an intoxicating masala spice character.
Ingredients: Decaf black tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Black + White pepper, Clove, Nutmeg.
INGREDIENTS FROM: Kenya / India
REGION(S): Kericho / Kerala
SHIPPING PORT(S): Mombasa / Cochin
GROWING ALTITUDES: 500 - 6500 feet above sea level
GRADE(S): PF (Pekoe Fannings)
MANUFACTURE TYPE(S): CTC (Cut, Torn and Curled)
ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: Medium
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Removed naturally using CO2
VEGETARIAN: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
INFUSION: Bright and tending coppery with rosy highlights
INFORMATION:
Throughout
India stories abound as to who created the heavenly mix of spice and
tea known as Chai. One of the more believable theories holds that it was
created by Indian gypsies hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years
ago. Gypsies live in almost every quarter of the Indian sub-continent.
And although there are many different tribes with unique customs and
stories, oral histories maintain that they all descend from the Lohar
people, an ancient group of blacksmiths known to be fierce warriors.
Legend has it that the Lohar originated in the city of Chittorgarh but
were defeated in a battle in 1308 and forced out of the city. From that
point on, they became a nomadic people and traveled by caravan wherever
the dusty trail took them.
Hmm, if you think that sounds like
the perfect opportunity for sampling and collecting spices from all the
various and far flung corners of India, you'd be right. Over the
centuries the gypsies developed a very flavorful and spicy cuisine using
whatever spices they had available to them in the different places they
would stay. Ginger.cardamom...cloves.coriander. the list is almost
endless. Being surrounded by incredible spices, a good cook gets a few
ideas. Now although nobody knows exactly when it happened, at some
point, someone decided to try adding a mixture of spice to a pot of hot
tea. (At the time, gypsy tea was brewed using milk instead of tea in
order to fortify the body during long caravan rides.) The spices blended
with the hot milk and tea and created the most wondrous beverage.
Spiced chai was born!
Over the ensuing centuries, chai grew to
become India's most popular drink. In fact, chai is as synonymous with
India as oranges are to Florida. Well, we're pleased to bring you the
exotic flavors of India's most popular drink in this fantastic
decaffeinated form. A superbly smooth mixture of spices and a top
quality Indian tea, this is one brew you'll want to take with you
wherever you go. Brew a pot and transport yourself mentally to the gypsy
camps of old - a magical tea!