What Is Chai? Masala Chai vs Milk Tea, Spices & How to Make It
OBARASOTAROShare
“What is the difference between chai and ordinary milk tea?”
“Which spices are used to make masala chai?”
“Can I make a rich, fragrant cup of Indian-style chai at home?”
Chai is a much-loved drink in cafés and tea shops around the world. With the fragrant aroma of cardamom and cinnamon, the lively character of ginger, and the smooth richness of milk, it offers a wonderfully aromatic way to enjoy tea.
Masala chai, which is widely enjoyed in India, is a drink commonly prepared by combining black tea, spices, milk and water, then heating the ingredients together in a saucepan.
The word “chai” means “tea” in Hindi and several other languages. Masala chai refers specifically to tea prepared with a mixture of spices.
In New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, chai often refers to a sweet, spiced milk tea. In India, however, everyday chai can also be a simple combination of tea, milk and sugar.
One of the delights of homemade masala chai is the freedom to choose your own spices, tea leaves, milk ratio and level of sweetness.
Let's begin by comparing chai with some other familiar styles of milk tea.
| Drink | Main Ingredients | Preparation Style | Flavour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chai | Tea, water, milk and other ingredients | Varies by region and household; often simmered in a saucepan | Rich tea character and creamy milk |
| Masala chai | Black tea, milk, water, spices and optional sweetener | Spices and tea are extracted, then combined with milk | Rich, fragrant and warmly spiced |
| Traditional milk tea | Black tea and milk | Milk is commonly added to brewed tea | A balance of tea flavour and milk |
| Royal milk tea | Black tea, milk and sometimes water | A Japanese-style rich milk tea, sometimes prepared in a saucepan | Creamy and full-bodied |
| Chai latte | Chai concentrate or syrup and milk, depending on the product | Prepared according to the café or brand's recipe | Sweet and aromatic |
Note: Names, ingredients and preparation methods vary between regions, cafés and households.
In this guide, we'll explain what chai and masala chai mean, how they differ from ordinary milk tea, which spices and tea leaves to choose, and how to prepare an aromatic cup at home.
We'll also explore a traditional-style recipe using Assam CTC tea, together with an alternative method using Assam Organic Breakfast from Tea Total, a New Zealand tea brand.
And for those who enjoy fragrant herbal infusions, we'll introduce a simple caffeine-free, chai-style milk tea made with a spiced herbal blend.
Along the way, we'll discover some fascinating traditions from India's chai culture and a few delightful facts about this popular drink.
Let's find your favourite way to enjoy chai.
1. What Is Chai? The Meaning of Chai and Masala Chai in India
When you hear the word “chai”, you might picture a sweet and spicy milk tea served in a café.
Yet in India and other parts of South Asia, the word has a much broader everyday meaning.
In Hindi, “chai” means tea, while “masala” refers to spices or a mixture of spices.
Masala chai is therefore a type of chai made with spices.
A simple chai might contain black tea, milk and sugar. A fragrant masala chai may also include cardamom, ginger, cinnamon or other spices.
One of the most interesting aspects of chai is how much the preparation can vary between families.
One household might prefer the delicate fragrance of cardamom, while another might use a generous amount of ginger.
Some recipes simmer the spices in water before adding the tea leaves. Others bring the ingredients together in a different order.
These variations are part of the pleasure of chai. There is more than one way to create a satisfying cup.
Different combinations reflect local traditions, family preferences and the ingredients available.
For our homemade recipes, we'll focus on masala chai and explore ways to bring out the richness of black tea alongside the fragrance of your favourite spices.
Chai Trivia 1: Does “Chai Tea” Really Mean “Tea Tea”?
Many English-speaking cafés offer drinks called “chai tea” or “chai tea latte”.
However, because chai already means tea, the name “chai tea” repeats the meaning of the word.
The expression has become popular in English-speaking countries as a way of distinguishing Indian-style spiced tea from other tea drinks.
It's a lovely reminder that even a familiar café drink can have an interesting linguistic and cultural story behind it.
2. Chai vs Milk Tea: What's the Difference from Royal Milk Tea and Chai Latte?
Chai and milk tea often begin with the same two ingredients: black tea and milk.
The differences become clearer when we look at the preparation method, the combination of ingredients and the use of spices.
For a traditional cup of milk tea, black tea is commonly brewed in a teapot before milk is added to the cup.
This simple approach allows you to explore the character of different tea origins and the way each variety pairs with milk.
Indian-style chai is often prepared in a saucepan. Tea leaves may be simmered in water, followed by milk and other ingredients.
Masala chai introduces the additional fragrance of spices, creating another layer of flavour.
Cardamom, for example, adds an aromatic, lively note. Ginger brings a distinctive sharpness, while cinnamon contributes a sweet, familiar fragrance.
What about royal milk tea?
Royal milk tea is a name widely used in Japan for a particularly rich style of milk tea, often made with a generous amount of milk.
Some recipes involve warming the tea and milk together in a saucepan, giving the preparation a similarity to chai.
What makes masala chai distinctive is the important role of spices in shaping the drink's aroma and character.
A chai latte served at a café may use prepared chai concentrate or a flavoured syrup combined with milk.
Homemade masala chai offers a different pleasure: choosing the tea leaves, gently crushing the spices and enjoying their fragrance as the drink is prepared.
A convenient chai latte can be a lovely choice on a busy day, while making masala chai from scratch can turn a quiet afternoon into an enjoyable tea-making ritual.
Chai Trivia 2: What Is Mumbai's Famous Cutting Chai?
In Mumbai, a city in western India, a style of tea known as “cutting chai” is particularly familiar.
It commonly refers to a small serving of strong, sweet chai, often poured into a glass filled to about half its usual capacity.
The tradition is associated with everyday tea stalls and people enjoying a quick tea break.
Names and serving customs vary by region, but this small glass offers an interesting glimpse into Mumbai's vibrant tea culture.
3. What Spices Go into Masala Chai? Flavours and Combinations
Spices give masala chai its wonderfully recognisable aroma.
Common choices include cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper.
Rather than using every spice at once, begin by understanding the individual fragrances and how they complement black tea and milk.
| Spice | Aroma | How to Use It in Chai |
|---|---|---|
| Cardamom | Fresh, fragrant and floral | A lovely main aromatic note |
| Ginger | Sharp and lively | Adds a distinctive accent |
| Cinnamon | Sweet and familiar | Brings a soft, rounded fragrance |
| Cloves | Deep, intense and aromatic | Adds depth in small amounts |
| Black pepper | Sharp and peppery | Creates a lively finishing note |
| Fennel | Gently sweet and aromatic | An interesting optional variation |
For beginners, cardamom and ginger are a delightful combination.
Cardamom creates a fragrant, elegant note, while ginger adds a lively character.
A little cinnamon introduces a sweeter aromatic impression that works beautifully with creamy milk.
Cloves and black pepper can be quite distinctive, so begin with small amounts and explore how they influence the overall blend.
Whole spices can be gently crushed before brewing, allowing the hot water to reach their inner surfaces.
Ground spices are another option. Because they disperse readily throughout the drink, it's useful to start with a small quantity and adjust to taste.
You may also come across ready-made spice mixtures known as chai masala.
These blends combine several spices and offer a convenient way to enjoy a familiar chai-style fragrance.
At Brilliant Life Products NZ, we also explore cinnamon, Japanese nikki and Ayurvedic-inspired herbal teas in separate articles.
Here, our focus is on combining spices to create a delicious and fragrant cup of chai.
Chai Trivia 3: Why Crush Cardamom Pods Before Brewing?
Inside each green cardamom pod are small, aromatic seeds.
Gently crushing the pod before brewing allows hot water to reach the seeds more easily.
A spoon or a small mortar and pestle is often all you need.
Try smelling a whole cardamom pod, then one that has just been gently crushed. It's a simple and enjoyable way to explore the fragrance of spices.
4. What Is the Best Tea for Chai? Assam, CTC and Orthodox Tea Leaves
Choosing the tea leaves is just as important as selecting the spices.
Because masala chai is frequently made with milk, black teas with a rich and noticeable flavour are popular choices.
One of the best-known options is Assam black tea from India.
Many Assam teas are appreciated for their full-bodied flavour and distinctive malty notes, making them lovely companions for milk and aromatic spices.
An interesting detail is that Assam teas can be produced using different manufacturing methods.
Two important terms to know are CTC and orthodox processing.
CTC stands for Crush, Tear and Curl.
This method processes the tea into small, often granular pieces that can release a strong tea flavour relatively quickly.
CTC Assam is widely used in Indian-style chai, particularly in recipes where the tea is simmered in a saucepan.
Orthodox processing, by contrast, uses more traditional rolling and handling methods to prepare the leaves.
The size and appearance of orthodox leaves vary by product, and many loose leaf teas are enjoyed for their distinctive appearance, fragrance and brewing characteristics.
Orthodox Assam can also be used to make chai.
By adjusting the brewing method to suit the leaves, you can enjoy a chai that highlights the character of the tea alongside the spices.
| Tea Type | Main Characteristics | How to Enjoy It in Chai |
|---|---|---|
| Assam CTC | Small, granular leaves that brew a strong infusion | Rich saucepan-style masala chai |
| Orthodox Assam | Distinctive leaves and aroma | Chai that highlights the tea's fragrance |
| Ceylon black tea | Styles range from bright to full-bodied | Explore a lighter chai variation |
| Breakfast tea | Many blends pair well with milk | A convenient everyday option |
| Spiced black tea | May already contain aromatic spices | A simple way to enjoy spiced tea |
Assam is a wonderful starting point for anyone exploring homemade masala chai.
Whether you choose traditional-style CTC tea or fragrant orthodox loose leaf tea, each offers its own appealing qualities.
In the next section, we'll explore two methods designed around these different tea styles.
Chai Trivia 4: What Does CTC Actually Stand For?
CTC is short for Crush, Tear and Curl, describing the processing of tea leaves into small pieces.
These granular leaves can be particularly convenient when preparing a strong infusion in a saucepan.
This is one reason CTC tea has become closely associated with everyday Indian milk tea.
Even the shape of a tea leaf can tell us something about the way tea is prepared and enjoyed.
5. How to Make Masala Chai at Home: Two Recipes for CTC and Loose Leaf Tea
There are many ways to prepare masala chai, and recipes often reflect the preferences of different households and regions.
Here we'll explore two approaches: a traditional-style saucepan recipe using Assam CTC tea and a loose leaf variation using orthodox Assam tea.
Both recipes make approximately two small cups, depending on evaporation and serving size.
Choose the method that suits your tea leaves, and enjoy discovering your preferred balance of tea, milk and spices.
Recipe A: Traditional-Style Masala Chai with Assam CTC Tea
This version begins by simmering spices and tea in water before adding milk for a rich, aromatic finish.
| Ingredient | Amount for 2 Small Cups |
|---|---|
| Water | 200ml |
| Milk | 200ml |
| Assam CTC tea | 5g |
| Fresh ginger | About 5g |
| Green cardamom pods | 3 pods |
| Cinnamon stick | About 2cm |
| Clove | 1 |
| Sugar | Start with about 2 teaspoons, or to taste |
Note: The final amount depends on the cooking time and evaporation. This is a suggested home recipe based on established preparation styles, not the result of a laboratory or product tasting test.
Step 1: Prepare the spices
Gently crush the cardamom pods and thinly slice the fresh ginger.
Measure out the cinnamon and clove so everything is ready before you begin.
Step 2: Simmer the spices
Place 200ml of water and the spices in a small saucepan.
Bring to the boil over a medium heat, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer gently for approximately 2–3 minutes.
As the water heats, you'll begin to notice the fragrance of cardamom, ginger and cinnamon.
Step 3: Add the tea leaves
Add 5g of Assam CTC tea and simmer gently for approximately 1–2 minutes.
The infusion should develop a rich black tea colour, ready for the addition of milk.
Step 4: Add milk and sugar
Pour in 200ml of milk and add your preferred amount of sugar.
Stir gently, allow the mixture to heat again, and continue simmering over a low heat for approximately 2–3 minutes.
Milk can foam and rise rapidly as it heats, so remain beside the saucepan and adjust the heat as needed.
Step 5: Strain and serve
Once the aroma and richness suit your taste, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Strain through a fine tea strainer to remove the leaves and spices.
Pour into warmed cups and enjoy the combination of robust Assam, fragrant spices and creamy milk.
Recipe B: Fragrant Chai with Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea
This alternative recipe is suitable for orthodox Assam loose leaf tea, including Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast.
Instead of simmering the leaves for an extended period, this method brews the tea in fragrant spiced water and combines it with separately heated milk.
It's a lovely way to enjoy the character of the Assam tea alongside cardamom and ginger.
| Ingredient | Amount for 2 Small Cups |
|---|---|
| Assam loose leaf black tea | Approximately 5g |
| Water | 250ml |
| Milk | 150ml |
| Green cardamom pods | 2 pods |
| Fresh ginger | Approximately 3–5g |
| Cinnamon stick | 1 small piece, optional |
| Sugar | To taste |
Note: This is a suggested home variation rather than an official Tea Total chai recipe. Adjust the quantities to suit your preferred flavour.
Step 1: Prepare the spiced water
Place 250ml of water in a small saucepan with the gently crushed cardamom pods, sliced ginger and optional cinnamon.
Bring to the boil, then simmer gently over a low heat for approximately 2 minutes to draw out the spices' fragrance.
Step 2: Brew the Assam tea
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add approximately 5g of loose leaf Assam and cover.
Allow the tea to steep for around 3–4 minutes.
For its usual black tea preparation, Tea Total recommends one teaspoon of Assam Organic Breakfast per 250ml of freshly boiled water, with a brewing time of approximately 3–4 minutes.
The quantity suggested here has been adapted for a chai-style drink that will be combined with milk.
Step 3: Add warmed milk
Gently heat 150ml of milk in a separate saucepan.
Strain the tea to remove the leaves and spices, then combine the fragrant infusion with the warm milk.
Add sugar to taste if you enjoy a sweeter cup.
Step 4: Pour and enjoy
Stir gently and pour into warmed teacups.
Enjoy the full-bodied character of Assam, complemented by the delightful fragrance of cardamom and ginger.
Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast can be enjoyed as a familiar cup of black tea or milk tea during the week, then transformed into a fragrant homemade chai for a relaxed weekend.
Comparing the Two Recipes
| Comparison | CTC Recipe | Loose Leaf Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Tea leaves | Assam CTC | Orthodox Assam |
| Brewing style | Tea simmered in a saucepan | Tea steeped in spiced water |
| Milk | Heated with the tea | Warmed separately and combined |
| Style to explore | Rich and traditional-style | Highlights loose leaf aroma |
Chai Trivia 5: Why Is Chai Sometimes Brought to the Boil More Than Once?
Some Indian chai preparations involve heating the tea and milk until the mixture begins to rise, lowering the heat and then gently heating it again.
The number of times this is done varies between households and tea sellers.
It's one of the ways people adjust the richness and overall character of their chai.
When preparing chai at home, watching the saucepan and controlling the heat will help you create a satisfying cup while handling the hot milk safely.
6. How to Make Chai Taste Better: Adjusting Tea Strength, Milk and Spices
One of the greatest pleasures of homemade chai is learning to create a cup that suits your personal taste.
Even when you use the same tea and spices, changing the amount of milk, brewing time or sugar can produce a different experience.
For example, if you enjoy a stronger black tea character, try using a little more tea next time.
If you love the fresh fragrance of cardamom, adjusting the number of pods can make that aroma more prominent.
You can also vary the ratio of tea to milk to discover your preferred level of creaminess.
| Your Preferred Style | What to Adjust |
|---|---|
| More pronounced black tea flavour | Increase the tea leaves slightly |
| A creamier cup | Adjust the milk-to-tea ratio |
| More cardamom fragrance | Try one additional cardamom pod |
| Ginger-forward chai | Increase the ginger slightly |
| A gentle spice aroma | Use smaller amounts of cloves or pepper |
| A sweeter drink | Add sugar gradually to taste |
To create a lighter tea flavour, you might experiment with a shorter steeping time or a smaller quantity of tea leaves.
If the clove aroma seems especially prominent, use a little less in your next batch to create a different balance.
Making one adjustment at a time makes it easier to discover which combinations you enjoy.
Consider keeping a small notebook with your preferred quantities and brewing times.
Before long, you may have a personal chai recipe that you look forward to preparing again and again.
Chai Trivia 6: Why Is Sweet Chai So Popular in India?
Sweetened chai is widely enjoyed in many parts of India.
Sugar brings a different flavour balance to strong black tea, aromatic spices and milk.
The amount of sweetness varies according to the household and personal preference.
Whether you enjoy a sweet, rich cup or prefer to highlight the spices with less sugar, the pleasure lies in finding your own favourite combination.
7. Two Tea Total Teas for Chai: Assam Black Tea and Ayurvedic Bliss
Once you've discovered how to make chai at home, choosing the right tea or spiced blend is a lovely next step.
At Brilliant Life Products NZ, we'd like to introduce two delightful products from Tea Total, a New Zealand tea brand.
The first is a rich Assam black tea for making masala chai with your favourite spices.
The second is a fragrant herbal blend that can be combined with milk for an easy caffeine-free, chai-style drink.
| Tea Total Product | Main Characteristics | Suggested Chai Style |
|---|---|---|
| Assam Organic Breakfast 100g | Organic orthodox Assam black tea | Homemade masala chai with your own spices |
| Ayurvedic Bliss 100g | Caffeine-free herbal infusion with five plant ingredients | Easy spiced herbal milk tea |
1. Assam Organic Breakfast 100g — For Fragrant, Homemade Masala Chai
Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast is an organic black tea produced from leaves grown at the Banaspaty Tea Garden in India's Assam region.
The tea is made using orthodox processing, and its appearance features dark tea leaves with attractive golden tips.
Assam is loved for its full-bodied character and rich flavour, making it a wonderful choice for enjoying both black tea and milk tea.
For a special weekend tea break, try pairing it with freshly crushed cardamom and sliced ginger for a homemade chai variation.
Imagine the fragrance rising from a small saucepan as the spices simmer, followed by the rich aroma of Assam tea.
Selecting and measuring your favourite ingredients can become an enjoyable part of the tea ritual.
Tea Total provides an approximate guide of 40 standard cups from a 100g packet, depending on the amount of tea used. Recipes using additional tea leaves, such as a concentrated chai, will provide a different number of servings.
A lovely choice for anyone interested in preparing black tea-based masala chai and exploring the character of quality loose leaf Assam.
Explore Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast 100g
2. Ayurvedic Bliss 100g — For a Caffeine-Free Chai-Style Herbal Milk Tea
Tea Total Ayurvedic Bliss is a fragrant herbal infusion combining five botanical ingredients: cinnamon, liquorice root, orange peel, fennel and cardamom.
The familiar aroma of cinnamon is complemented by cardamom's fragrant notes, the freshness of orange peel and the distinctive character of fennel.
Liquorice root contributes a naturally sweet taste to the blend.
Because Ayurvedic Bliss contains no black tea leaves, it is different from traditional black tea-based masala chai.
Instead, it offers an enjoyable way to prepare a caffeine-free herbal milk tea with a chai-inspired spiced aroma.
The spices are already combined in the blend, making it convenient for those who enjoy aromatic tea without measuring several individual spices each time.
How to Make an Easy Ayurvedic Bliss Chai-Style Milk Tea
Begin with approximately one teaspoon of Ayurvedic Bliss, around 2–3g.
The Brilliant Life Products NZ product page suggests brewing it with approximately 200ml of hot water for 3–5 minutes.
Tea Total's own preparation guidance suggests a heaped teaspoon per 250ml, steeped for 6–10 minutes. You can explore the brewing time that suits your preferred strength.
For a chai-style milk tea, prepare a suitably strong herbal infusion and combine it with warmed milk.
As one simple starting point, try mixing approximately 150ml of brewed Ayurvedic Bliss with 50ml of warm milk.
Adjust the ratio to enjoy the balance of fragrant spices and creamy milk that you prefer.
This is a suggested home variation rather than a chai recipe specified by the manufacturer.
With cinnamon and cardamom already included, it's a convenient way to enjoy a deliciously aromatic, chai-inspired drink.
An appealing option for anyone who enjoys the fragrance of chai spices and would like to explore a caffeine-free herbal alternative.
Explore Tea Total Ayurvedic Bliss 100g
Important: Ayurvedic Bliss contains liquorice root. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or receiving medical treatment, consult your healthcare professional before consuming this blend. Discontinue use if it does not agree with you.
For a rich, black tea-based masala chai, choose Assam and experiment with your favourite spices.
For a convenient caffeine-free herbal drink with a chai-style fragrance, explore Ayurvedic Bliss with warmed milk.
Both offer a different way to make your tea moments more enjoyable.
Chai Trivia 7: Every Household Can Have Its Own Spice Blend
Different Indian households and tea sellers have their own preferred combinations of chai spices.
Some favour the fresh aroma of cardamom, while others enjoy a more pronounced ginger or clove character.
The blend can reflect family preferences, local traditions and the ingredients available.
Keeping a note of your favourite spice quantities can be a delightful way to create a personal chai tradition at home.
8. Indian Chai Culture and History: Chaiwalas, Tea Stalls and Food Pairings
Understanding the culture surrounding chai can make the drink even more interesting.
In India, chai is enjoyed not only at home but also at roadside tea stalls and places where people gather to talk.
A person who prepares or sells chai is commonly known as a chaiwala.
The steam rising from a saucepan, the fragrance of tea warming with milk, and the conversation of people passing by are familiar images associated with the country's tea culture.
A small cup of chai can become a pleasant moment in a busy day.
How Did Chai Become So Popular in India?
The growth of tea drinking in India is connected with several historical developments.
Commercial tea cultivation expanded during the nineteenth century under British colonial rule, followed by the growth of domestic tea marketing during the twentieth century.
In his 2012 research, Philip Lutgendorf examined how the tea industry, commercial promotion and changes in urban life helped shape the culture of chai in India.
There are also older traditions of tea use in parts of northeastern India, reflecting the varied backgrounds of tea consumption across the region.
The rich, sweet milk tea widely associated with modern chai developed through these broader historical and cultural changes.
Today, chai is enjoyed in countless variations, from simple family recipes to fragrant masala blends served in cafés and tea stalls.
What Foods Go Well with Chai?
Chai is a lovely companion for sweet biscuits, baked treats and savoury Indian snacks.
One familiar example is the samosa, a pastry filled with ingredients such as spiced potatoes and cooked until crisp.
Another is pakora, a snack made by coating ingredients such as vegetables in batter before frying.
These foods are often enjoyed with a warm cup of chai.
At home, butter biscuits or freshly baked scones can make an equally inviting accompaniment.
Imagine the rich character of Assam, the fragrance of cardamom and cinnamon, and the sweetness of a favourite biscuit.
A little time spent preparing tea and choosing something delicious to enjoy alongside it can turn an ordinary afternoon into a special occasion.
Whether you prefer making a traditional-style masala chai from scratch or using a ready-blended herbal tea for a quick chai-inspired drink, there are many ways to bring this wonderful tea culture into your own home.
Chai Trivia 8: What Is a Kulhad?
In some parts of India, chai is served in small, unglazed earthenware cups known as kulhads, or by similar regional names.
These traditional clay cups have a distinctive natural appearance.
Glass and paper cups are also widely used, depending on the region and tea seller.
The choice of cup is another fascinating detail that connects a simple drink with the culture of the place where it is enjoyed.
Q1. Are chai and masala chai the same thing?
Chai means tea in Hindi and several other languages. Masala chai specifically refers to tea prepared with spices, such as cardamom and ginger. In English-speaking countries, the word chai is often used for spiced milk tea.
Q2. What is the difference between chai and ordinary milk tea?
Ordinary milk tea is commonly made by adding milk to brewed black tea. Indian-style chai is often prepared by simmering tea in a saucepan before combining it with milk. Masala chai also features the aroma of spices as an important part of its character.
Q3. Do you have to use cinnamon in chai?
Chai recipes vary between households and regions. Cardamom and ginger can be used as the main spices, while cinnamon is an optional addition. Begin with a combination that appeals to you and adjust the quantities to taste.
Q4. Can you make chai with ordinary loose leaf black tea?
Yes. Loose leaf Assam is a lovely option for homemade chai. Because orthodox tea leaves differ from CTC leaves in shape and brewing characteristics, the preparation method can be adjusted to suit them. For Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast, try brewing the tea in spiced water and then combining it with warmed milk.
Q5. Does chai contain caffeine? Can you make a caffeine-free version?
Masala chai made with black tea contains caffeine naturally present in the tea leaves. You can also enjoy a caffeine-free, chai-style drink using a spiced herbal infusion without black tea. Tea Total Ayurvedic Bliss is one blend that can be prepared this way.
Chai is the word for tea in India and several other parts of South Asia.
Masala chai is a fragrant style of tea prepared with spices such as cardamom and ginger, often combined with black tea and milk.
Its distinctive character comes from the combination of ingredients and the way they are prepared, setting it apart from a familiar cup of milk tea.
For a rich black tea-based masala chai, begin with Assam tea and a selection of your favourite spices.
Tea Total Assam Organic Breakfast can be enjoyed as a traditional black tea, a comforting milk tea or a fragrant homemade chai.
For a different approach, Tea Total Ayurvedic Bliss offers a ready-blended herbal infusion that can be combined with warmed milk for a caffeine-free, chai-inspired drink.
One style celebrates the richness of black tea, while the other highlights the appealing fragrance of a spiced herbal blend.
Choose the style you love, prepare your favourite cup and enjoy creating your own special chai moments.
- Lutgendorf, P. (2012). Making tea in India: Chai, capitalism, culture. Thesis Eleven.
- The Indian Express (2025). Bitter, sweet, and ginger-cardamom-kissed: Cutting chai, the brew that fuels Mumbai.
- Food Network Kitchen. Masala Chai.
- Tea Total. Assam Organic Breakfast.
- Tea Total. Ayurvedic Bliss.
Featured Product
Recommended Products
Related Articles
Cinnamon and Nikki: Differences, Types, Coumarin & Tea Uses
Ayurvedic Bliss Tea: Flavor, Spices, Brewing, Caffeine-Free Benefits & Licorice Root Precautions
How to Make Milk Tea: Best Ratio, Brewing Tips & Royal Milk Tea
Latest Articles
Best Sweets to Pair with Black Tea: Chocolate, Scones, Cookies, Cakes & Tea Pairing Guide
Black Tea vs Coffee: Caffeine Content, Taste, Aroma & Key Differences
