Thursday Tea(vana) Time

This week - a Teavana combo!   Samurai Chai Mate and Maharaja Chai Oolong

Cost:   That depends...

Caffeine:   Yes

Type of tea:   Oolong, Rooibos and Mate

Steeping time:  6 minutes

Add ins:  A little bit of sugar or honey helps make it even better.  Like a cinnamon Red Hot candy.

Ingredients:  Samurai Chai Mate:  Green mate & green rooibos blend, cinnamon, anise, cardamom, and almond, fortified with papaya, pineapple, orange, and lemongrass.  (the orange must be very minute, it did not trigger a migraine for me)

Maharaja Chai Oolong:  Oolong tea, cinnamon, ginger, clove and cardamom. 

Fragrance:    Samurai Chai - Fruity spicy

Maharaja Chai - Warm and spicy (I like this one the best)

Opinion:   My friends and I found this tea being offered as a sample on a cold, wintery day in Jacksonville, Florida.  It was hot and spicy and good.  So much we probably drank half the sample carafe when the employees weren't looking.  Teavana is known for pairing different teas, and this must have proven to be so popular, they now offer it as a blend.   If you are looking for an eye-opening chai blend, heavy on the cinnamon, this is worth a try.  At least purchase a cup in the store if you are dragging from shopping.  It may be cheaper than making your own at home. 

Drawbacks to Teavana teas -- 

They can be expensive.  And you can't purchase small quantities in the store.   I do believe they have adjusted it to 2 ounces, but that can still be eye-and wallet-opening, literally.  So between the three of us, we divied it up to avoid sticker shock.  We still did, because we bought a half pound of each.  The Maharaja Chai Oolong is available for $12.98 for 2 ounces (and one of Oprah's 2013 Favorite Things) and the Samurai Chai Mate is $5.98/2 ounces.  The blend is priced at $18.96 for 4 ounces.

They are also famous for the up-sell.  The clerks are super-scoopers, meaning they will go over the 2 ounce minimum.  Every.Single.Time.  I think they learn that in training.  It has happened to me in all their stores.  So be forewarned and pushy right back by having them get closer to 2 ounces.  They will sigh and roll their eyes. But at least you won't be paying them an extra dollar or two or three.   (Wanna bet what you purchase online will be charged and weighed exactly to measure?)

I also used one teaspoon of each tea.  Truth be told, Teavana doubles or almost triples the amount of tea they use in their samples.  And super sugars it.   That's why they taste so good and get you on the hook.

So if your bag instructions say 1 teaspoon or 1 1/2 teaspoons, try doubling it.  Or if you are using a large mug, triple it.  

Rating:  3.5, only because doing the math makes my head hurt and it is pricey, and I have to be vigilant to make sure I don't over-buy.  Drinking tea should be an enjoyable experience, along with purchasing it.   

That all being said, I would probably get the Maharaja Chai again and combine with another cheaper brand of mate, such as Trader Joe's Organic Yerba Mate.  Make my own Teavana tea combo!

Samurai Chai Mate
Looks pretty!

Maharaja Chai Oolong
(I can see why this is Oprah's Favorite)

Chai for a chilly day