Teavana Oprah Chai Has Arrived at Starbucks!

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Starbucks. I received a promotional item and a gift card to facilitate my review.

Did you know Oprah, queen of media, has partnered with Teavana and come up with a delicious tea variety that not only tastes great but helps girls in need? Starbucks is now offering Teavana Oprah Chai in its stores and it is delicious!

If you know me you already know I am tea drinker. I drink a cup of tea several times a day and it is my favorite drink, hot or cold. I prefer black teas, especially the stronger flavored varieties like chai. But I have a confession to make; until this week I had never had loose leaf tea! I like the simplicity of a tea bag, but I admit I have always found the idea of loose leaf tea to be romantic and intriguing. Never had loose leaf tea either? Get yourself to Starbucks where you can now buy Teavana Oprah Chai gift sets that come with pre-packaged loose leaf tea. Not up to brewing your own tea creation?  That’s okay, because the baristas at Starbucks can rock this tea for you.

I recently took one of my oldest and dearest friends out to sample this tea together. We tried it as both iced and hot lattes and both were very good. I prefered the tea hot, but that is not unusual for me. The flavor of this tea is warmer, sweeter, and less bitter than the chai I usually drink. I cannot quite put my finger on the exact difference, but I think it is the absence of star anise that really makes me love the Teavana Oprah Chai.

Here are the ingredients (in order):

• cinnamon
• black tea
• ginger
• carob pieces
• black pepper
• natural flavor
• chicory root
• rooibos
• cloves
• cardamom

The baristas at Starbucks were very enthusiastic about the Teavana Oprah Chai, and it was so easy to see why. We left several empties in our wake and went home feeling quite satisfied. What made our experience even better was knowing that Starbucks will be making a donation for each Teavana Oprah Chai product sold to benefit educational opportunities for youth through the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation. Of course, when Oprah and Starbucks get together on something you know it will include a social good.

This Mother’s Day, Starbucks will be offering a Buy One Get One Free special on Teavana Oprah Chai Tea beverage. Bring mom, or mom-in-law, or a friend in and enjoy some tea together. There is just something special about sharing a cup of tea with a loved one. Check out the Steep Your Soul site where you can share your own tea moments and inspire others. Share your tea moments and use #TeavanaOprahChai.

While you are at Starbucks pick up one of the Teavana Oprah Chai gift sets so you can brew your own tea at home. I prefer brewed tea to lattes and I loved this tea even more when I made it at home in my infuser mug. Seriously fabulous! But don’t drink alone, invite a loved one. Call up an old friend, grab your mom and go! I took a woman I have been friends with since I was 12 years old. We both have families now and too much time passes between our visits but that doesn’t mean I love her any less! This is one amazing women. She is a fantastic stay-at-home-mom to four, a successful college student, and a fiercely loyal friend.  Love you, chica!