Tea adventure: Chai

source: http://www.stashtea.com/info/Tea_Culture_Chai

Chai is now my "go to" drink at cafes. Its hot, spicy, creamy and FROTHY! (Its the frothy/creamy that I really miss about coffee.)

What's not to like? From http://www.chai-tea.org/whatisit.html:

Chai (pronounced as a single syllable and rhymes with 'pie') is the word for tea in many parts of the world. It is a centuries-old beverage which has played an important role in many cultures.
Chai from India is a spiced milk tea that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. It is generally made up of:

• rich black tea
• heavy milk
• a combination of various spices
• a sweetener

The spices used vary from region to region and among households in India. The most common are cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper. Indian chai produces a warming, soothing effect, acts as a natural digestive aid and gives one a wonderful sense of well being. It's difficult to resist a second cup. 

All of the spices listed are on the "good for me" list and I agree with the "wonderful sense of well being" comment above. 

I think I'm a spicy chai girl and not a sweet chai girl. I had half spicy, half sweet, and that was good. but I like the heavy taste of the all spicy chai. Still not as deep as coffee in flavor, but that's ok for now - until I find the ultimate.

At home chais:

• I bought a Gingerbread Chai at Christmas time - which I just read on the can that it is a rooibos tea. It came in a nice metal can that I like. It is tasty and tastes like Christmas, but like all bagged teas so far, I found that I have to double bag it to get the best flavor. Add milk and it is a good fall back and tasty to keep around but it isn't sensational.
• Something to note: chai is made with black tea - which is not on my list of good teas (oolong, white, and green). So I found a chai green tea. Double bag it, but it is still weak. Add milk. It would probably be better with more spices added? Steep for as long as possible, but be very careful that you don't let it go too far or else it becomes bitter and grassy. This is one you have to take the bags out of at a certain point...and I usually lose interest in it before I finish the cup.

 Maybe it's obvious to tea people that you have to remove the bags from green teas so they don't turn bitter? But for black and red teas I keep the bags in until the water is gone to get as much flavor out as possible.
This may make me a Luddite.

In essence, when I'm at a coffeehouse, I can order a chai and still feel like I fit in and not get weird looks from those around me with coffee. I am still looking for that really good "at home" tea.

The search continues.