This is a pretty unique hodgepodge of ingredients: Green teas from India, China and Japan, Black tea from India, cinnamon bits, cardamom seeds, cardamom husks, cloves, orange peel, and natural vanilla flavor. Very Masala-Chai-like in nature, but with a playful twist. The tea leaves are medium-sized - both flattened and loosely rolled green leaves as well as the unmistakable gnarled black tea leaves. There is an ample peppering of all of the aforementioned ingredients as well. The dried blend has a definite spicy nose, mixed with citrus notes. There is an inherent sweetness to the aroma as well - undoubtedly from the vanilla.

A brew for 4.5 minutes, utilizing just-boiled water, results in a semi-greenish-yellow hued liquor - a very golden copper. The aroma in the cup is slight; the flavor is quite gentle, but tasty. The spices almost override the flavor from the teas, but not in a negative way. They also complement them, the green tea making a subtle appearance on the palate. The orange peel has a surprising amount of citrus flavor coming through, and it marries well with the green tea. However, a word of warning: a hotter temperature in the steep also tends to extract some of the bitterness from the abundant green leaves, and a decent amount of astringency follows up.

For anyone who might consider a typical Masala Chai to be too intense, this is for you. For those who like big, bold spice flavors from your Chai, you may not get enough out of this tea.

— To purchase KTeas Autumn Morning, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

Dan Teaviews.com Reviewer » Read more about this reviewer on Dan's profile page. » Find a list of recent posts by Dan.

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