Safari Masala Chai (Specialty Chai Tea)

Cup Characteristics: A robust 2nd flush Assam with Indian Malabar spice highlights. The finish has memorable ginger notes with mild pepper.
Ingredients:  Luxury black tea, Ginger, Cardamom, Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Natural flavors.

Tea Story:
Safaris are normally associated with Africa - indeed the very name itself comes from the continent - an old Swahili word that literally means journey.  Over the past few years however, other parts of the world are increasingly being viewed as excellent safari destinations.  Interestingly, one region particularly well suited for viewing exotic wildlife from the back of a Land Rover also happens to grow some of the world's greatest tea.  Can you guess where?  Hint, it ain't Wichita.  It's Assam.  With its incredibly hot temperatures and extreme humidity, Assam is home to some of the world's densest jungle and rarest animal species.

If you ever find yourself headed up beyond Calcutta and into Assam, the most popular place to venture out on Safari is Kaziranga National Park.  Kaziranga is home to the elusive one-horned Rhinoceros, massive Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Spot Billed Pelican, and the powerful Royal Bengal Tiger just to name a few.  In a word, the animal population is diverse – a real mix.  The magnificent wildlife and stunning panoramas can be taken in by jeep, low flying single prop airplane, or on the back of an elephant.  Whichever way you choose to take in the scenery, it is almost certain that your Safari will end in the same way, reclining on a wide veranda sipping a hot cup of fresh Assam chai.

We've developed this amazing chai to reflect the diverse and exotic fauna of the Kaziranga. To give the tea the strength of the One Horned Rhino, we've used a heavy duty, full bodied, 2nd flush Assam. In homage to the exotic nature of the myriad other animals in the jungle we've mixed in a Malabar Spice mix with notes of ginger, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves. The result is an exceptionally full-bodied Chai displaying a spicy nose, rich malt on the tongue and a pepper garlic finish. In short, this is a fantastic cup! Like all chais, Safari Masala is traditionally brewed by being boiled in milk. However, it can be enjoyed just as well brewed as you would a regular tea. Either way, this is one tea worth bushwhacking for!

IMPORTANT – LOOSE TEA: 
Turn your bag of Chai upside down a few times. The powdered spices can settle at the bottom of the bag during transit.

To make the perfect cup of Fairmont Tea:  Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Use 1 teaspoon of Safari Masala Chai luxury loose tea or 1 tea bag of Safari Masala Chai luxury tea for each 10 ounce /300 ml serving required. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes (for true 'chayee chayee' steep at least 7 minutes). While the tea is brewing prepare your cup to receive the chai – put 2 teaspoons of sugar in the cup and add milk (about 20%) of the cup's volume. When the chai is ready – pour into your cup.

To make the perfect cup of Fairmont Iced Tea:  (to make 1 liter/quart):  Place 6 teaspoons of Safari Masala Chai luxury loose tea or 6-8 tea bags of Safari Masala Chai luxury tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice, milk and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].