Numi's organic chai tea bag hits the sweet spot

Numi's organic chai tea bag hits the sweet spot

Last week, we explored chai concentrates; this week, we continue our spicy adventure with chai tea bags.

With dozens of varieties of chai tea bags available - too many to taste in a single panel - we zeroed in on certified organic varieties of the classic blend of black tea and spices.

Several panelists thought the tea's spicing was "balanced" and had "good spice flavor," although one felt it was a "tad heavy handed."

While one panelist thought that the tea had "good balance," others found it "thin tasting" with "no chai spice" flavor.

Panelists were Linda Anusasananan, food writer, San Mateo; John Carroll, cookbook author, San Francisco; Paolo Lucchesi, Chronicle staff writer; Emily Luchetti, chief pastry officer, Waterbar and Farallon, San Francisco; Roland Passot, chef-owner of La Folie in San Francisco and three Left Banks.