Review: Drink Me, Chai
At the London Coffee Festival there were lots of freebies being handed out, and one of these were some sample packs of Drink Me Chai, a brand who produces a range of award winning Chai Latte mixes inspired by the original Chai, enjoyed for more than 5000 years.
The latte mixes are made from real ground spices blended with black tea, sugar and and milk – to make up the drink we simply need to add water or milk for an extra creamy taste. Drink Me Chair aim to transport drinks to the heart of an Indian market, where traditionally Chai wallahs offer their unique blends of spiced, sweetened tea in small clay cups.
“Ironically, my first chai stall wasn’t so different from the wallahs’ three-wheel tuk-tuk vans; I sold early samples to commuters from a tiny tea bar in stations across London.” Says Amanda Hamilton, Founder and CEO.
“I’d been passionate about sharing chai with as many people as possible since my first sip – and had set about creating a delicious, authentic recipe for the UK market. I really wanted to produce a drink that would take the palate in a new direction; something that would surprise and excite – and after countless samples (and several tweaks), Drink Me Chai was born.”
I have tried both the Tea Latte Sachets – Earl Grey tea infused with frothy milk and Spiced Chai Sachets – an aromatic blend of tea, milk and spices. Despite having the typical mixing-problems associated with these sorts of instant products (you usually end up with a few clumps of non-dissolved mix) I found both of the sachets to be flavourful with a very tasty combination of chai spices and if you give the made-up drink a good whisk up with a fork or spoon it can be pleasantly frothy.
Drink Me Chair offer a range of interesting recipes on their website where you can learn how to use their products to make some yummy treats including Spiced Chai Honey & Yoghurt Muffins, Valentine Vanilla Chai Latte and Spiced Chocolate Chai Latte. I have not had the chance to try using the mixes as an ingredient, but can image that the exotic flavours make the result of any recipe very tasty.
“We’re proud to be the number one instant chai in the UK, supplying the country’s top retailers, as well as many of your favourite coffee chains and independent cafés,” says Amanda, “But with all this success, we’ve never lost our original passion – I still remember the pure thrill of discovering this delectable, delicate drink for the first time. We just love chai, and hope you will too.”
I award the Drink Me Chair sachets 3 out of 5 for having a wealth of flavour and exciting spices, and being a welcome treat in the afternoon, despite the undissolved clumps.
