Sweet Meets Spicy

This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review

You know how most people associate a song with a memory? Like whenever the “Macarena” comes on the radio, you are instantly transported back to the devastation you felt as your pimply-pre-pubescent self messed up the choreography at the middle school dance? No? Too specific? Well, you get the gist. Besides a few nightmarish memories triggered by melody, I tend to actually equate memories with food instead. I will always think of special father-daughter breakfasts when I eat chocolate chip pancakes. I can’t even attempt to bite into a chicken piccata without being transported to my sister’s first apartment and her inaugural feast of independence. And I can’t help but get butterflies in my stomach every time I take a sip of a TAZO® Chai Latte. Why? Because that was the drink I ordered when I went on a first date with my husband. With a little gulp, I’m back in that college-town coffee shop, sitting across from my best friend at the very moment our amazing life together began.

Thirteen years, three states, a few jobs, and one very rambunctious (and scrumptious!) baby later, I couldn’t remember the last time my husband and I sat down together and talked over a cup of that delectable tea… until now. When I was contacted and asked if I’d like to review TAZO’s® new Sweet Meets Spicy Collection, I was thrilled. Using TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods, the collection allows you to brew their signature Chai Latte in your very own Keurig® brewer at home. Now knowing the ridiculously positive connotation I associate with the drink, you can imagine my elation at accepting the job. I make a point to only accept paid opportunities for products and/or companies I believe in, so this was a no-brainer. If my husband and I couldn’t make it out for a date night at the local coffee shop, then dang-nabbit, I was going to bring the coffee shop to him!

The Sweet Meets Spicy box the brand sent me was so delightfully presented, that I just had to share. Gorgeously wrapped in an orange ribbon, upon lifting the lid the box sides unfolded like a flower, revealing the treats inside. Featured beautifully were the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods, a chai cup and spoon, and recipes developed by Padma Lakshmi for delicious tea pairings. Psst! Get those recipes here.

Now the true test… brewing time! I brewed up a pair of these drinks for me and the hubby. And let me tell you, the taste was remarkably similar to that in the coffee shop. Just the right amount of sweet and spicy mixed with a creamy milk addition. It was hard to believe that they were made by my unskilled hand on my Keurig® and not by a highly trained barista. Absolutely delicious.

Thanks to the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods, my husband and I had time to have a throwback cup while gazing lovingly into each others’ eyes. Oh, but this time there was an 8-month-old baby sitting between us, practicing her newly acquired clapping skills and cheerily babbling “Da-Da-Da-Da”. If you ask me, we’ve vastly improved on the memory.

Learn more about the new K-Cup® pods and TAZO’s® partnership with Padma Lakshmi at TAZO.com/chai.