Chai is black tea simmered with milk and warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. If you already love those warm, spiced flavors, especially once fall rolls around, chai is such a fun tea to try. You can make it a little spicy, a little sweet, or extra creamy depending on how you like your tea. Chai is a spiced tea commonly made with black tea, milk, sweetener, and warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
I especially enjoy chai when the weather starts cooling down. It’s the kind of tea I want to make on a fall afternoon while reading a book or sharing tea and something sweet with a friend.
Chai is also a fun tea to serve at a fall tea party. You can pair it with scones, cookies, or other small desserts, and you have a simple afternoon tea that feels special without requiring a lot of work.
If you’re new to chai, this Beginner’s Guide to Chai Tea will help you understand what chai is, what it tastes like, which spices are commonly used, how to serve it, and a few easy ways to enjoy it at home.
Jump to:
- What Is Chai Tea?
- What Does Chai Tea Taste Like?
- What Spices Are in Chai Tea?
- Is Chai a Black Tea?
- Chai Tea vs. Chai Latte
- How to Make a Simple Cup of Chai Tea
- Hot Chai or Iced Chai?
- Serving Chai at a Tea Party
- What Desserts Go With Chai Tea?
- More Beginner’s Tea Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions About Chai Tea
- Make Chai Part of Your Tea Time
What Is Chai Tea?
Chai is a spiced tea commonly made with black tea, milk, sweetener, and a combination of aromatic spices.
One interesting tea fact: the word chai actually means tea in Hindi, so saying “chai tea” technically means “tea tea.” In the United States, however, we commonly use the term chai tea to describe the spiced tea drink many of us know and love.
Traditional Indian masala chai can vary from family to family and region to region. There isn’t just one single chai recipe, which is part of what makes it so interesting.
Some blends are heavy on ginger. Others have more cardamom, cinnamon, or black pepper. You can experiment until you find the combination you like best.
What Does Chai Tea Taste Like?
Chai has a warm, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor.
The black tea gives it a strong tea base while spices such as cinnamon and cardamom add warmth. Ginger and black pepper can give it a little kick, while cloves add another layer of spice.
Add milk and honey or sugar, and those flavors become smoother and creamier.
If you enjoy cinnamon, gingerbread, pumpkin spice, or other fall flavors, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy chai.
What Spices Are in Chai Tea?
Here are some chai spices you will commonly find in recipes:
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- Cloves
- Black pepper
- Nutmeg
- Star anise
- Allspice
You don’t need to use every spice.
In fact, making your own blend is one of the fun parts of chai. My Homemade Chai Spice Mix is an easy way to keep those flavors ready in your pantry.
You can use chai spice for more than tea, too. Try adding it to oatmeal, muffins, cookies, quick breads, pancakes, or other fall baked goods.
Is Chai a Black Tea?
Most traditional masala chai is made with black tea.
The stronger flavor of black tea works especially well because it can stand up to the milk, sweetener, and spices without disappearing underneath them.
If you’d like to learn more about the tea behind your cup of chai, read my Beginner’s Guide to Black Tea.
You can also find chai blends made with green tea, rooibos, or herbal ingredients, so always check the package if you are trying a new blend.
Chai Tea vs. Chai Latte
This is one of the most common questions about chai.
Chai generally refers to spiced tea, while a chai latte is usually a stronger chai tea or chai concentrate combined with plenty of milk.
Coffee shops often use chai concentrate to make chai lattes quickly. At home, you can make one with chai tea bags, loose-leaf chai, or chai concentrate.
You can also serve it hot or iced.
Try my Starbucks Copycat Iced Chai Tea Latte when you want an easy cold version at home.
How to Make a Simple Cup of Chai Tea
You don’t need special equipment to enjoy chai at home.
Start with a chai tea bag or loose-leaf chai and brew it according to the package directions. If you plan to add milk, I like making the tea slightly stronger so the chai flavor doesn’t get lost.
Then add your favorite milk and sweetener.
Try:
- Whole milk
- Oat milk
- Almond milk
- Honey
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup
Taste your chai before adding more sweetener. Some prepared chai blends and concentrates are already sweetened.
You can also sprinkle a little cinnamon or chai spice over the top.
Hot Chai or Iced Chai?
Hot chai is one of my favorites once fall arrives. There is something about those cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom aromas coming from a warm mug that just seems right for September through the holidays.
But don’t save chai just for cold weather.
An iced chai latte makes a wonderful spring and summer drink, especially when you want something other than iced coffee.
You can even set up a little chai bar for a fall gathering with hot chai, iced chai, different milks, honey, cinnamon sticks, and homemade chai spice.
Serving Chai at a Tea Party
Chai is a fun choice for an afternoon tea because its bold flavor pairs beautifully with baked goods.
For a fall tea party, serve a pot of chai alongside traditional black tea or a caffeine-free herbal option so guests have several choices.
Add a tray of scones, tea sandwiches, and small desserts, and your menu is practically finished.
My Tea Scones with Clotted Cream would be delicious with chai, or choose several treats from my Tea Party Cookies collection.
If you want to turn it into an entire afternoon, see my Ideas to Plan a Tea Party or keep it simple and have a Tea Party for Two.
Sometimes tea for two with a friend and a plate of cookies is all the tea party you need.
What Desserts Go With Chai Tea?
Because chai contains warm spices, I like pairing it with desserts that either complement those flavors or give you a little contrast.
Try chai with:
- Cinnamon Scones
- Shortbread cookies
- Pumpkin desserts
- Apple desserts
- Cinnamon cookies
- Vanilla cake or cupcakes
- Lemon desserts
- Tea sandwiches followed by small cookies
You can find even more ideas in my Tea Party Desserts collection.
More Beginner’s Tea Guides
Once you start learning about tea, it’s fun to taste the different varieties side by side.
Continue your tea education with:
You could even choose a different tea each week and discover which flavors you enjoy most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chai Tea
Usually, yes. Traditional chai is typically made with black tea, which naturally contains caffeine. The amount will vary depending on the tea, how much you use, and how long you brew it.
Not quite. Chai is spiced tea, while a chai latte generally combines chai tea or chai concentrate with a larger amount of milk. It can be served hot or over ice.
Chai is commonly made from black tea and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Milk and sweetener are also commonly added.
Chai tastes warm, spicy, aromatic, and slightly sweet. The exact flavor depends on the spice blend. Some chai tastes strongly of cinnamon, while other blends have more ginger, cardamom, or pepper.
The tea and spices themselves don’t have to be very sweet. The sweetness usually comes from added sugar, honey, syrup, or a sweetened chai concentrate.
Make Chai Part of Your Tea Time
Chai is one of those teas that’s easy to make yourself.
Make it spicy or mild. Drink it hot or iced. Add lots of frothy milk or just a splash. Sweeten it with honey or enjoy it without any added sweetness.
And don’t feel like you need a special occasion to make a pot of tea.
Make yourself a cup on a Saturday morning, take it outside to the garden, curl up with a book, or invite a friend over for tea and scones.
After all, learning about tea is fun—but enjoying it is the best part. Until next time, keep life sweet—one cup at a time.
You can find all eight of my tea guides in one place on my Tea Guides page.
