Most Interesting Tea Flavors to Try

When you enter the world of loose-leaf tea, you’ll quickly discover that there are many different types to choose from. One of the great things about loose-leaf tea is that it’s an internationally beloved drink. Those many, many different types are the result of years of experts around the world creatively using classic blends like green or black tea with a seemingly endless list of special ingredients.

While a classic green tea is delicious on its own, it’s worth trying some more unique recipes available on the market. Specifically, three of the most interesting tea flavors to try are Genmaicha, Masala Chai, and Russian Caravan.

Genmaicha

If you enjoy teas with a lighter flavor, consider brewing a cup of Genmaicha, a beloved Japanese tea. One of the special things about Genmaicha is that it contains an unconventional ingredient—brown rice. The addition of roasted brown rice gives Genmaicha a light, savory flavor. Brown rice, some of which is popped in Genmaicha blends, also gives this famous blend an intriguing texture unlike other teas.

Masala Chai

Any fan of spicy foods and drinks should consider trying masala chai, a popular tea from India. Masala chai is an enchanting mixture of black tea and additional spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. After brewing a batch, it’s common (and delicious) to mix in some milk and sugar. That warm, sweet spiciness makes masala chai the perfect drink for a relaxing winter evening indoors. It doesn’t hurt that masala chai also emits a strong, soothing aroma that can make any home smell wonderful.

Russian Caravan

What makes Russian Caravan one of the most interesting tea flavors to try isn’t just its name, but also its use of several types of loose-leaf. This blend contains a tea by the name of “lapsang souchong,” an ingredient that results in a unique smokey taste.

Russian Caravan also typically contains additional ingredients like oolong tea to lighten the flavor, but without diminishing the smokiness entirely. If you enjoy dark, bold flavors but don’t enjoy the smokiness of Russian Caravan, remember that there is a large library of loose-leaf black tea on the market that may better suit your taste.