Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea is a flavored black tea blend with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cardamom. It’s a spicy and aromatic tea that’s perfect on a cold winter day or enjoyed anytime you want a flavorful and invigorating cup of tea. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that give Bengal Spice tea its robust flavor profile.
Main Tea Ingredients
The base of Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea is a blend of black tea. Black tea gives the tea its rich, reddish-brown color and contributes caffeine and polyphenols, compounds that have antioxidant effects in the body.
Specifically, the black tea used in Bengal Spice is a mix of teas from India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and China. Each imparts its own unique flavor notes. Indian black teas like Assam and Nilgiri tend to be bold and malty. Ceylon black tea has a bright, crisp character. Chinese black teas like Keemun have a more subtle fruity aroma.
Together, these black tea varieties provide a complex base for the spices and give this tea its brisk, full-bodied taste and stimulating caffeine kick. A cup of Bengal Spice tea contains approximately 40-60mg of caffeine, depending on the tea leaves used.
Spices
A unique blend of warming spices is what really gives Bengal Spice tea its signature flavor and zest. The main spices used are:
Cinnamon – Cinnamon adds warmth, sweetness and aromatic spice flavor. It contains antioxidants called polyphenols.
Cloves – Cloves impart astrong, peppery and slightly bitter flavor. They contain antioxidants like eugenol.
Ginger – Ginger provides spicy heat and gingery zing. It supplies anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols.
Cardamom – Cardamom lends a sweet, citrusy and slightly minty nuance. It contains antioxidants called terpenes.
These spices perfectly complement the black tea base to create a harmonious and well-balanced flavor. The cinnamon and cloves give the tea an energizing spiciness, while the ginger and cardamom provide aromatics and a subtle sweetness.
Natural Flavors
Natural flavors are also listed on the Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea ingredients label. The exact formula is proprietary.
However, natural flavors typically include extracts and oils derived from fruits, spices, herbs, vegetables, roots or leaves. For a tea like Bengal Spice, common natural flavors may include orange, lemon, vanilla, almond and mint.
These flavors help round out and enhance the taste profile of the tea. Even though they are present in smaller amounts than the main ingredients, natural flavors play an important role in creating the perfect spice tea flavor.
A Look at the Full Ingredient List
Here is the full list of ingredients contained in Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea, in order from most to least:
– Black tea
– Cinnamon
– Natural flavors
– Cloves
– Ginger
– Cardamom
As you can see, black tea makes up the bulk of the blend, followed by smaller but impactful amounts of fragrant cinnamon and a proprietary mix of natural flavors. The other warming spices – cloves, ginger and cardamom – are further down the list, indicating they are present in smaller quantities.
Nutrition Facts
Bengal Spice tea contains minimal calories and carbohydrates, and no significant amounts of protein, fat, fiber or micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Here is the nutrition information for one cup (8 fl oz) of brewed Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0.5 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Caffeine | 40-60 mg |
As you can see, the calories and macronutrients are negligible. The tea leaves themselves contribute very minimal nutritional value other than polyphenols and caffeine.
The spices do contain small amounts of micronutrients like vitamin C, iron and manganese. However, the quantities present in a cup of tea would not be significant enough to meet daily needs for these nutrients.
The main health benefits of Bengal Spice and other spiced teas comes from their antioxidant polyphenol compounds and the warming, soothing nature of consuming a hot aromatic beverage.
Gluten-Free Status
Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea is certified gluten free. This makes it a safe beverage choice for those who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Black tea leaves, spices like cinnamon and ginger, and natural flavorings do not contain any gluten. The Celestial Seasonings facility that produces this tea is free from gluten cross-contamination.
So you can confidently enjoy a hearty cup of Bengal Spice tea if you follow a gluten-free diet.
Vegan Status
This Celestial Seasonings tea is also vegan friendly. Black tea leaves, spices and natural flavors do not contain any animal products.
There are no dairy, eggs or honey in the ingredients list. Bengal Spice Celestial tea is 100% plant-based, making it a great choice for vegans and those avoiding animal products.
Manufacturing Process
Celestial Seasonings uses careful manufacturing processes to produce high quality Bengal Spice tea:
– Black tea leaves are harvested and then undergo processing including withering, rolling, oxidizing, drying and sorting. This preserves their fresh flavor and active polyphenols.
– Spices like cinnamon and ginger are sourced in their raw natural state and then processed into powders.
– Natural flavors are extracted through distillation methods.
– The tea leaves and spice ingredients are blended in specific ratios according to the formula. Natural flavors may be sprayed on as the final step.
– The finished tea blend is packaged into tea bags, boxes or pods while still fresh to seal in the aroma and flavor.
By using good manufacturing practices and keeping a close eye on ingredient quality, Celestial Seasonings is able to produce finished Bengal Spice tea that retains its full flavor and aroma.
Brewing Recommendations
To get the most enjoyment out of your Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea, follow these ideal brewing recommendations:
– Use fresh, cold filtered water. Spring or purified bottled water is best.
– Heat water to a rolling boil. This helps extract the most flavor.
– For tea bags, pour the boiling water over 1-2 tea bags in a cup. Let steep for 5-7 minutes before removing bags. This stronger steeping yields a rich, robust cup.
– For loose tea, use 1 rounded teaspoon per 8oz cup. Let steep for 5-7 minutes in a tea infuser or strainer.
– You can add milk, sugar or lemon if desired to taste. Also nice with a teaspoon of honey.
– Re-steeping the same tea bags or loose leaves once can produce a second, lighter cup. But flavor will be best on the first steeping.
Following these tips will help unleash the boldest Bengal Spice flavor to enjoy all its complex spice notes. Adjust the steeping time up or down to make it stronger or weaker according to your liking.
Buying Bengal Spice Tea
You can find Bengal Spice tea in grocery stores, mass retailers like Walmart and Target, natural food stores, and online:
– Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice is sold in boxes of 20 tea bags for around $3-5. Boxes with larger quantities of bags are also available.
– The tea is also offered in a loose leaf pouch or tin, allowing you to brew it by the cup. Prices range from $5-8 for tins up to 2 ounces.
– Tea pods compatible with Keurig or other single serve brewers provide convenience. A box of pods with 14 or 18 pods costs $7-9.
– Buying in larger quantites like cases with 6 boxes online can lower the per-cup cost.
– Look for sales, coupons and store discounts when available to get the best deals on boxes of Bengal Spice tea bags.
With its unique blend of black tea and warming spices, Bengal Spice Celestial Seasonings tea is a flavorful and uplifting drink any time of day. Following the steeping suggestions and taking advantage of sales when buying boxes in quantity can help this tea become an affordable daily ritual. So try a cup of Bengal Spice tea to spice up your mornings or light up a cold evening.
Similar Tea Options
If you enjoy the spicy, aromatic flavor of Bengal Spice, here are some similar flavored tea varieties to try:
– Constant Comment Tea – Black tea with orange rind and sweet spices
– Bigelow Red Raspberry Spice Tea – Black tea with raspberry and vanilla
– Tazo Chai Tea – Black tea with chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves
– Stash Chai Spice Tea – Black tea with warming spices
– Yogi Masala Chai Tea – Black tea with traditional masala chai spices
– Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea – Black tea with cinnamon and cloves
– Twinings Chai Tea – Black tea blend with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger
These spiced and flavored black tea options can provide a similar warming, aromatic and intriguing flavor experience as Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea. Chai-style teas also make a flavorful alternative if you enjoy the spice blend in Bengal Spice. Try a variety to find your favorites.
Conclusion
Bengal Spice tea from Celestial Seasonings contains a unique blend of black tea leaves and exotic warming spices like cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Together they create an aromatic, flavorful and enticing tea experience. Additional natural flavors complement the spices to produce a well-balanced taste.
This invigorating tea is perfect for sipping on a crisp morning or chill evening. It’s naturally gluten free and vegan, containing no added sugar. Follow the steeping suggestions for the strongest flavor. Brew up a hot cup of Bengal Spice tea when you want to infuse your day with spicy comfort and vibrancy.