Chai tea: history, tradition and spice in a cup

Chai, or masala chai, is black tea brewed with milk, sugar and a blend of spices (masala) such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and clove. It was born in India and is now drunk all over the world, hot, over ice or with a shot of espresso. Here is where it comes from, which spices go into it and how to make it with our powdered chais.

Where does chai come from?

"Chai" simply means "tea" in Hindi. India's first spiced drinks didn't even contain tea: they were spice infusions from the Ayurvedic tradition, bound up with hospitality and with family recipes that changed with the seasons.

Tea came later. In the 19th century, under British rule, the growing of black tea spread through regions such as Assam. To sell it on the local market, people began mixing it with milk, sugar and the familiar spices, and so modern chai was born.

In the 20th century it became popular in railway stations, markets and homes, served by chai wallahs, the street tea sellers. Every region and every family has its own version.

Which spices go into a masala chai?

There is no single recipe, but almost all of them start from these spices:

The balance between the spices, the black tea and the milk is what gives chai its creamy, aromatic flavour. We go through it spice by spice in anatomy of a chai: what goes into the spice blend.

Chai today

• Hot with milk, the classic version, with cow's milk or a plant-based drink.
• Over ice in summer, as a cold spiced drink.
• "Dirty chai", with a shot of espresso.
• In baking: biscuits, sponges and creams with chai spices.

Our powdered chais

We make them as a fine powder for whisking, like matcha: no teabags, no simmering spices.

• Masala Chai Blend: black tea with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, star anise, black pepper and ginger. The classic.
• Vanilla Chai Blend: the same base with more vanilla, softer and more rounded.
• Choco Chai Blend: defatted cocoa with black tea and spices.
• Masala Chai Caffeine Free: the same spices on a rooibos base, with no tea and no caffeine, for the afternoon or evening.

The first three contain black tea and therefore caffeine. If you want to compare, it's all in how much caffeine is in each product.

How do you make it?

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon (2 g) of chai in 120 ml of water at about 80 °C. For the Choco Chai, 1 tablespoon (4 g).
2. Whisk until there are no lumps, with a frother or a whisk.
3. Add 120 ml of hot milk or a plant-based drink, or pour it over ice.
4. Sweeten to taste if you like, and dust a little cinnamon on top.

Frequently asked questions

Does chai contain caffeine?

Traditional chai does, because it is made with black tea. Our Masala Chai Caffeine Free doesn't, because its base is rooibos.

What is the difference between chai and masala chai?

"Chai" means tea in Hindi. Outside India, "chai" usually refers to masala chai, black tea with spices and milk.

Can you drink it cold?

Yes. Dissolve the powder in a little hot water, fill the glass with ice and add cold milk.