Pooja Patel & Ruhi Gilder
While Masala chai still remains India’s favourite, it has also been embracing different varieties of teas and newer, more experimental blends.
Tea blends, the fusion of teas with spices, flowers and fruits have distinct flavours and, in many cases, added health benefits. On the occasion of International Tea Day, we list amazing tea blends by 10 luxury tea makers that you should surely stock up.
Vahdam India
Vahdam India offers certified organic and caffeine-free teas that are not only healthy but also delicious. There’s Sweet Himalayan, a mix of turmeric, ashwagandha, stevia with green tea; Hibiscus Rose, a blend of rose, cardamom, fennel and hibiscus; and Chamomile Mint Citrus, a blend of green tea, chamomile, mint and orange.
Their range of turmeric-special blends is a huge hit as it helps build immunity and has ginger, ashwagandha, moringa and an array of other natural spices. Try their Turmeric Spiced, Turmeric Ginger, Turmeric Ashwagandha or Turmeric Moringa.
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Celesté
This premium tea brand offers artisanal blends in floral, fruity, dessert, wellness and spiced flavours. Her Majesty has white tea, jasmine and rosebuds; Gold Rush is a blend of green tea, chamomile, marigold rosemary; and Vanilla Waltz has oolong tea, strawberry, marigold and rose petals.
Their dessert teas are the most fascinating. If you like chocolate with some spice then their Choco Spice (oolong tea, chocolate, cinnamon, cardamom, cocoa nibs, ginger, hops) is for you and if you like sweet, woody flavour then try their Serendipity blend that is a blend of black tea, ginger, orange peel, clove, cinnamon, peppermint and goji berry.
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Tea Culture of the World
Your favourite ice cream flavour is now in your tea. Tea Culture of the World’s Chocolate Mint combination is a blend of chocolate, robust black tea and mint. Their signature blends even include interesting flavours such as Mango Love Green Tea, Caramel Peach Tea and a Flowery Bouquet Pink Tea of rose, hibiscus, liquorice roots with a mild flavour of green tea.
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Hillcart Tales
Hillcart Tales creates dessert tisanes that sound as exotic as they look. Think slices of Lemon Cake and Apple Strudel, jugs of Strawberry Lime and Blood Orange sherbet, topped with a ribbon of Caramel, and there you have it. Plus points for their absolutely adorable hexagonal packaging and muslin tea bags.
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Chado
Chado offers a delicate, Darjeeling Camellia Flowers Herbal Tea made from the flowers from the tea plant. These flowers bloom only once a year just before the tea plant goes into hibernation in the chilly winter and are carefully hand-plucked. The tea itself is high in astringency, fruitiness with a sweet aftertaste. This one is a definite must-try.
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The Good Life Co.
The Good Life Company wishes you Sweet Dreams with its special herbal tea concoction. Drink this cup of a soothing herbal blend made from ingredients with natural calming effects. Chamomile, peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, valerian root, and moringa ensure a peaceful night of rest.
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No. 3 Clive Road
Handcrafted in small batches in a New Delhi-based atelier, No. 3 Clive Road’s local ingredient blends are many and varied. The Aurangzeb blend, spiced with ginger and cardamom and hints of rose, jasmine and marigold, is a great Assam tea-based beverage. The blend can also be steeped slowly on room temperature water for a cold brew, a welcome respite from the heat.
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Sublime House of Tea
This Sublime signature blend of mint, lemon and blue pea flower tea looks pretty and is delicious. The magical blue pea flower is native to India, and its vivid blue and purple tones make for an impressive addition to your afternoon tea party. You can also turn it into a boozy cocktail by following the recipe given by Sublime House of Tea below.
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Teabox
This Ratan Tata-backed company, on the occasion of International Tea Day (today), launched two exciting tea blends, which are very desi. Rajasik and Rasayana, the two new chai blends have been inspired by the age-old traditions of Ayurveda.
Rajasik Ayurvedic Chai is a blend of black tea, black pepper, ginger, tulsi, clove, green cardamom; and the calming Rasayana Ayurvedic Chai has black tea, cinnamon, turmeric, ashwagandha, green cardamom and star anise. Both these blends have been created to provide nutrition and build the immune system. Apart from these newly launched blends, there’s Saffron Rose Chai that is a sweet blend of black tea, rose petals, saffron and green cardamom; and Kashmiri Kahwa Saffron Green that has green tea fused with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, almond and clove.
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Chai Craft
Founded in August 2019, Chai Craft’s tea estates are in Assam, Darjeeling and the Dooars. They have a great collection of health teas such as the Gluco-Rein Tea (green tea, gymnema sylvestre, vijaysar, cinnamon, jamun seed, licorice, fenugreek, cumin, giloy, ginger, turmeric, clove, flax-seed, ashwagandha and shilajit) kills sugar cravings, helps stimulate insulin secretion, which in turn lowers blood sugar.
The Pain Check Tea is a blend of green tea, nettle, rhododendron, rama tulsi, lemon tulsi, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger. It alleviates gout discomfort, relieves muscle pain and aching joints and reduces inflammation. Their Digestive Herbal Infusion benefits the stomach—aids in digestion, strengthens the gastrointestinal system and reduces the negative effects of oxidative stress and improves bowel consistency. It’s loaded with triphala, senna leaves, star anise, dried ginger, liquorice and peppermint.
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