Chai

Chai is a spiced tea blend with roots in Indian tradition — the word "chai" simply means tea in Hindi. At its heart, a classic chai combines a bold tea base with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and pepper. The result is something rich, aromatic and deeply comforting. Our chai range goes beyond the traditional, with a variety of styles and flavour profiles to suit every taste and occasion.

Loose leaf tea uses whole or larger pieces of tea leaves, which means more oils, flavour and aroma are preserved. Tea bags typically contain smaller, broken leaves or dust that brew quickly but with less depth and complexity. With loose leaf chai tea, you get a richer, more satisfying cup, and you have more control over the strength.

Chai is wonderfully versatile and can be brewed in a few different ways depending on your preference:

As a tea: Steep one teaspoon of loose leaf chai per cup (250ml) in freshly boiled water for 6 minutes. The longer you steep, the bolder and spicier the flavour. Strain and enjoy as is, or add a splash of milk and a little honey or sugar if you like.

As a chai latte: For a creamier, café-style result, simmer your loose leaf chai gently in a mix of water and milk (dairy or plant-based) for 3–5 minutes, then strain into your cup. This is the traditional stovetop method and produces an incredibly rich, full-flavoured brew. Sweeten to taste.

Browse our brewing guides for more detailed instructions and tips for getting the most from your chai blend.

We stock a full range of chai styles, including:

• Traditional masala chai — bold, spiced and built on a black tea base, the classic that started it all
• Rooibos chai — all the warming spice of a traditional chai, naturally caffeine-free and just as satisfying
• Sweet chai — indulgent, smooth blends like Vanilla Chai and Chocolate Chai for those who love a softer, sweeter cup

Whether you like your chai punchy and traditional, caffeine-free or on the sweeter side, there's a blend here worth trying.

All our loose leaf tea has a 2 year best before date. Store your chai in an airtight container away from light, heat and strong odours. Chai blends are particularly aromatic, so a well-sealed Tea Caddies is especially important - both to keep the chai fresh and to prevent those beautiful spice aromas from transferring to other teas nearby. A cool, dark pantry or cupboard is ideal.

It depends on the blend. Our black tea-based chais - including Australian Chai, Indian Chai, Vanilla Chai, Chocolate Chai and Cinnamon Chai - all contain caffeine. If you're looking for a caffeine-free option, our Rooibos Chai, Rooibos Vanilla Chai and Roasted Dandelion Chai are wonderful alternatives - all the warming spice, none of the caffeine. They're a perfect choice for evenings, for those sensitive to caffeine, or anyone who simply loves chai any time of day.

Full-cream dairy milk gives the richest, creamiest result and pairs beautifully with bold spiced blends. Oat milk is a popular plant-based choice — it froths well and has a natural sweetness that complements chai spices. Almond, coconut and soy milk all work well too, each adding their own subtle flavour. It's worth experimenting to find your favourite combination.

Yes, some blends offer a small taster size which contains approx 4 serves so you can try the tea before committing to a larger size. If you find you love the blend, our sizes get cheaper in bulk.

If you're not sure which Chai Tea to try, take our Chai Tea quiz. We'll ask you some quick questions and provide suggestions for blends that will match your preferences. Take the Chai Tea Quiz now.