What is a Chai Latte? Everything You Need to Know
Wondering what a chai latte is and why it's become one of the most popular coffee shop drinks? A chai latte is a deliciously spiced tea latte made with black tea, aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom, steamed milk, and sweetener. This creamy, warming beverage offers a perfect alternative to coffee with less caffeine and rich, complex flavours.
While you might not have found chai lattes on café menus 25 years ago, today this Indian-inspired spiced tea drink has become a worldwide favourite. Whether you're looking to make a homemade chai latte or simply want to understand what makes this beverage so special, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about chai lattes.
What is a Chai Latte?
A chai latte is a spiced drink made primarily with steamed milk. It has strong spiced notes of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and often ginger. It is normally sweetened with sugar or a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
The word "chai" is taken from the Hindi language and translates in English to "tea", while the word "latte" comes from the Italian word for milk. When combined, we get "milk tea". You might be thinking, "But a chai latte is more than milky tea?" and you would be correct!
Chai lattes could be more accurately called "masala chai lattes" which means "milky spiced tea". But, 'chai latte' is better understood and it is unlikely to cause confusion when ordering at a coffee shop.
One misconception we often hear is that chai lattes contain coffee. This isn't true. Chai lattes do not traditionally contain any coffee but instead have a black tea base. Coffee can however be added, which is commonly referred to as a "dirty chai". While chai doesn't normally contain coffee, it does contain some levels of caffeine from the tea leaves.
While there are many types of chai powder, syrup, and loose-leaf chai available, not all chai lattes are created equally, which you may have already discovered!
The Origins of the Chai Latte
Masala chai has been enjoyed in India in its current form since the 1830s when cheaper spices were ground and mixed with more expensive tea. This created a drink which was affordable to make and matched the palate of the Indian subcontinent population.
It is true that there were some who had brought chai back to the West, often by those who had moved from India to the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that large coffee shop chains decided to start serving chai to the masses.
What is the Difference Between Chai Tea and a Chai Latte?
Something that might surprise you to know is that chai can also be enjoyed without milk (or very little as would be taken in a normal black tea). This type of variation is often called "chai tea" in the West.
You might be thinking, but doesn't that just mean "tea tea"? Well yes, yes it does!
While we are very much in favour of accuracy when it comes to the education of chai, we also appreciate that it can get confusing.
Chai, chai tea, masala chai, and chai latte have become interchangeable in the West. It is difficult therefore to distinguish the difference due to both the water-based chai and milk-based chai being called masala chai.
The Key Differences Include:
Chai Latte:
- A richly spiced, milky drink
- Infused with tea, spices, ginger, and sweetener (honey or sugar)
- Frothy and silky milk
- Higher in calories due to milk content
Chai Tea:
- A strong and complex water-based drink
- Boiled water is infused with spices, tea, and ginger
- Refreshing and lower in calories than the latte version
- More concentrated spice flavour
Given that there are so many interchangeable words for chai, we suggest using the terms 'masala chai', 'chai latte', or simply just 'chai'. While chai does mean tea, it is widely associated with spiced tea and shouldn't cause any confusion.
What Ingredients are in a Chai Latte?
The beauty of chai is that it doesn't have to follow a set recipe. It can even differ depending on the day for someone as they might choose to add more of one spice or less of another. But regardless of the exact recipe, there are a number of spices which do appear in the vast majority of chai recipes.
Common Chai Latte Ingredients:
- Black tea (Assam or Ceylon tea are popular choices)
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Fennel
- Nutmeg
- Star anise
- Peppercorns
- Allspice
- Fresh ginger
- Turmeric
- Sugar/honey/maple syrup or other sweetener
- Milk (dairy or plant-based alternatives)
This is not an extensive list and many other ingredients find their way into chai such as vanilla, rooibos (a naturally caffeine-free plant), and even mint or cocoa.
Each spice plays its own part in the creation of the unique flavour chai is loved for. Warm, sweet, and lightly spiced notes are often described when someone enjoys a chai.
How to Make the Perfect Chai Latte at Home
If you decide to make your own chai latte at home, here are a few tips:
- Add one-half cup of water and one cup of milk (milk alternatives work great, particularly oat milk or almond milk) to a pot on medium heat.
- Add your chai spices to the pot (approximately 1-2 teaspoons of spice blend).
- Continue to stir the chai consistently every 10-15 seconds.
- Add 3-4g of black tea to the pot (you can tear open a tea bag and use this if you don't have any loose-leaf tea).
- Add your sweetener to taste (1-2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup).
- Allow the mixture to infuse and heat up. Once the chai starts to bubble, turn down the heat and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes extra.
- Strain your mix into a cup and enjoy.
Top tip: Patience is so important while making chai. You don't want the chai to heat up too quickly and burn, but you also want it to bubble. Keep stirring as this will allow for the flavours to be drawn out perfectly.
Popular Chai Latte Variations
While traditional chai isn't going anywhere anytime soon, there are some chai variations which are growing in popularity.
Chai Variations Worth Checking Out:
- Iced chai latte - Perfect for hot summer days
- Rooibos/herbal chai - Caffeine-free alternative
- Turmeric chai - Golden milk chai with anti-inflammatory benefits
- Hot chocolate chai - Chocolate meets spiced tea
- Peppermint chai - Refreshing and cooling
- Vanilla chai - Sweet and creamy
- Berry chai - Fruity twist on traditional chai
- Pumpkin chai - Autumn-inspired seasonal favourite
- Dirty chai - Chai latte with a shot of espresso
The Rising Popularity of Chai Lattes
Over the last 25 years, chai has been steadily growing as a firm and favourite drink choice for many avoiding coffee. It is perfect for those looking for a lower-caffeine drink option and has all of the cosy vibes that you want on those cooler days.
Up until very recently, the choice of chai for coffee shops has been limited. Many coffee shops still use powdered or syrup-based chai mixes. These are often high in sugars and artificial flavours. The challenge is that they don't taste like a true, loose-leaf, whole-spice masala chai.
Health Benefits of Chai Lattes
Chai lattes offer more than just delicious flavour. The spices in chai have been used in traditional medicine for centuries:
- Ginger - Aids digestion and reduces inflammation
- Cinnamon - Helps regulate blood sugar levels
- Cardamom - Supports digestive health
- Cloves - Rich in antioxidants
- Black tea - Contains beneficial polyphenols and moderate caffeine
Chai Latte vs. Coffee: Which Should You Choose?
If you're debating between a chai latte and coffee, consider these factors:
Caffeine Content: Chai lattes typically contain 40-70mg of caffeine per cup, while coffee contains 95-200mg. This makes chai an excellent choice for those looking to reduce caffeine intake without giving up a warm, comforting beverage.
Flavour Profile: Chai offers complex, warming spices while coffee provides bold, roasted notes. Both can be customized with milk and sweeteners.
Health Benefits: Chai's spices offer unique health benefits, while coffee is rich in antioxidants. Both can be part of a healthy diet.
Tips for Ordering a Chai Latte at Coffee Shops
When ordering a chai latte at your local café, keep these tips in mind:
- Ask if they use powder, syrup, or loose-leaf chai concentrate
- Request less sweetener if you prefer a more balanced flavour
- Try it with different milk alternatives (oat milk and coconut milk work particularly well)
- Ask for extra foam if you enjoy a frothy texture
- Consider trying an iced version during warmer months
Easy Chai Lattes at Home with Microground Tea
Want to make café-quality chai lattes at home in under 2 minutes? Old Growth Beverages offers premium microground chai tea mixes that dissolve instantly—no steeping, no straining, no wait time required.
Our chai products are proudly Canadian-made, owned, and operated right here in Vancouver, British Columbia. We believe that great-tasting tea shouldn't make you wait, and it doesn't need to be made by a barista.
Our Chai Collection:
Classic Chai Microground Tea - Traditional spiced chai with authentic flavour. Perfect for those who love the classic coffee shop chai latte taste. Made with premium black tea and aromatic spices including cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
Rooibos Chai - Decaf Microground Tea - All the flavour of traditional chai without the caffeine. Made with South African rooibos, turmeric, and cinnamon. Ideal for evening enjoyment or for those avoiding caffeine.
Dirty Chai Microground Mix - For those who want the best of both worlds! Our dirty chai combines chai spices with coffee for an energizing twist on the traditional chai latte.
Why Choose Microground Tea?
- Instant preparation - Ready in less than 2 minutes, just add hot milk or water
- No waste - No tea bags or loose leaves to dispose of
- Consistent flavour - Perfect taste every single time
- Highly dissolvable - Smooth texture with no grittiness
- Canadian made - Supporting local businesses and reducing our carbon footprint
- Free shipping - On orders over $60 anywhere in Canada
Whether you're at home or at your favourite café, making a delicious chai latte has never been easier. Visit Old Growth Beverages to explore our full range of microground tea products and start enjoying barista-quality chai lattes in minutes.
Making Chai Lattes Part of Your Daily Routine
With the continued rise in expectations of high-quality products, more coffee shops are beginning to offer premium chai options. Whether you choose to make chai at home with convenient microground tea or visit your local coffee shop, there's never been a better time to explore the world of amazing chai.
Whether you're a chai enthusiast or new to this spiced tea latte, you might discover your new favourite drink. From traditional masala chai to creative variations like iced chai or dirty chai, there's a perfect chai latte waiting for you.
We'd love it if you tried Classic Chai Microground Tea here at Old Growth Beverages! It's meticulously ground to ensure smoothness when prepared for drinking on its own, or in a delicious latte recipe like the one we've laid out in this article. And, there's no waste!
We are proudly Canadian! We are 100% owned and operated in Canada, made and packaged in Vancouver, British Columbia. Support local, buy Canadian! 🇨🇦