Starbuck’s Berry Chai Infusion

While I was at Starbucks yesterday the barista brought me a sample of the new Berry Chai Infusion.

It is a deep garnet red, a beautiful, almost winey color with a tart, make-your-mouth-water aroma that makes you want to hold the cup with both hands and breathe in the steam.

So yeah, I liked it.

Starbucks says this:

Combines Chai Tea concentrate with a proprietary blend of aronia berry (tart berry similar to cranberry) and black currant (dark colored berry with a sharp, sweet taste) juice.

I have to admit a penchant for black currant.  It reminds me of the elderberries I used to collect as a child in PA.  I don;t know exactly what it is about the taste of black currant but it makes all of my troubles go away for awhile and I am swept into a cozy place with birds singing and bees buzzing and small hobbits laying out a proper tea.

Yes, insanity does run in my family actually.

Anyway…

The sharp sweetness of the fruit hits you first leaving a delicious tartness in it’s wake…then the spice of the chai kicks in leaving you unsure of what you just experienced and ready to take another sip.

It is warming and wonderful, but I would not suggest getting a pastry with it.  The tea is so clean tasting that the only thing that would really go nicely with it is a wedge of good cheese, brie, Camembert, or such.

I think it would also make a great iced drink in summer, so we will see if they do that.

Starbucks has also come up with an apple chai infusion, which I haven’t tasted but if it is like the berry chai it will surely be amazing.

If you took my advice and bought one of the Starbucks Gold Cards you should be getting a couple of coupons for free teas in the mail.

Image: SXC