What is chai? You’ve seen it in cafés, spotted it on supermarket shelves, and scrolled past beautifully frothy cups on Instagram—but what exactly is it, and where does it come from?
Sit back and relax, as we discuss all you need to know about the interesting world of chai (and why we really need to stop referring to it as “chai tea”).
What is chai, actually?
Chai (or “Masala chai”) is a traditional Indian tea made by boiling black tea with milk, water, and a blend of spices kike cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, etc. The result? Chai tea can taste sweet, creamy, and spiced, offering a warm and aromatic experience. The word "chai" means tea, so saying "chai tea" is repetitive.
See more: What Does Chai Tea Taste Like? A Flavour Guide for First-Time Drinkers
Even if you’ve never tasted chai, chances are high that you’ve heard of it. Tea is, after all, the second most-consumed drink on earth, right behind water. At least, that’s what The National Geographic says.
Some insights into chai history
According to Epicurious, Masala chai or chai (which means “tea” in many languages) originated from India. Some believe that this aromatic drink dates back as far as 9 000 years ago with roots in Traditional medicine, combining various techniques including Vedic and Muslim medicine. Back then, chai looked a little different than today. No tea leaves were involved.
Wait, what?
Yep, the te’/tea/cha industry only arrived in India around 1835, when the East India Company began ‘domesticating’ tea farms in Assam. The aim was to break China’s monopoly on tea by cultivating and exporting it from India. However, the first Indian tea were bitter, and tea drinking wasn’t yet popular among locals. To make the drink more appealing, Indian tea vendors, or chaiwallahs, began adding local spices, milk, and sugar.
By the 1960s, black tea became more affordable, and chai gained widespread popularity across South Asia. Today, it’s enjoyed globally, from street-side chai vendors (chaiwallahs) in India to modern cafés worldwide.
Explore more: A Brief History Of Chai
The modern chai and variations
Today, chai lovers can enjoy everything from a chai latte and a hot chai cocktail to a dirty chai.
How does a chai latte taste, how do you make a hot chai cocktail and what on earth is dirty chai? Don’t worry, we wanted to know too, and the results are fascinating.
Masala chai
The term "masala" means a blend of spices. So believe it or not, Believe it or not, but Masala Chai and chai are essentially the same thing.
Chai latte
A chai latte is a frothy, sweeter version of chai, often made with powdered or syrup-based chai concentrates instead of traditionally brewed tea. While delicious, it’s typically much sweeter and less spiced than authentic Masala Chai.
Explore more: Matcha Chai Latte (Iced/Hot Recipe)
Sticky chai
It’s time to get your hands dirty. But what is sticky chai?
Sticky chai is a wet chai blend soaked in honey or agave, which enhances the spices' natural flavours. It’s often brewed with milk instead of water for a richer, creamier experience.
Dirty chai
Now that we’re done with the sticky, what is dirty chai?
Do you love chai but miss your coffee fix? Oh, wait until you hear about the dirty chai! Dirty chai is a chai made with a shot of espresso.
Rumour has it that the drink was reportedly created by accident when a barista mistakenly added espresso to a chai order - turns out, it was a hit!
Hot chai cocktail
Hmmm, now things are getting exciting (or should we say chai-citing?). Add a dash of liqueur to your favourite chai recipe to create a hot chai cocktail.
If chai cocktails sound like something you would like to try, you may find Monk's Chai spiced gin negroni useful.
What is in chai tea?
A classic chai or masala chai can be made with a few main components:
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Black tea: Often Assam tea, known for its bold and rich flavor.
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Spices: Common ones include ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper.
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Milk and sweetener: Traditionally whole milk and sugar, but plant-based milk and natural sweeteners are popular today.
For more details, check out our chai ingredients infographic.
If you're making chai at home, you can go the traditional route or opt for modern conveniences like tea bags, powders, and concentrates. Our favorite? Loose-leaf sticky chai, which delivers an authentic, full-bodied flavor you won’t find in pre-packaged options.
What food goes well with chai?
Here are some of the best food pairings that truly complement chai's unique taste. Wherever you look for which tasty dishes to pair with chai, regardless as it is breakfast, dinner or snackies, take our suggestion to your consideration!
How to prepare chai?
If you want to learn how to make a cup of tea that’s bold, flavourful, and perfectly spiced, getting the basics right is key. Here’s how to prepare the perfect cup every time:
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Use Assam black tea for a strong flavour.
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Simmer with spices: Add cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to boiling water.
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Steeping time & temperature: Brew for 5–10 minutes at 90–98°C (194–208°F) for full flavor.
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Add milk & sweetener: Stir in whole milk or plant-based alternatives with sugar or honey.
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Strain & serve: Pour into a cup, and enjoy!
For a stronger brew, steep longer; for a lighter chai, reduce steeping time.
Where to buy quality chai
So much chai, so little time! If you’re going to make chai at home, buy quality chai that you can trust.
Monk's Chai is a good place to start. Our chai is organic, plant-based, and hand-made in Australia. You can look forward to bursts of flavours like deep caramel, malty layered vanilla notes. It's the perfect tasting chai: something spicy and invigorating, rich in organic specialty grade aromatics that's been blended with the highest quality teas.
As for the spices, you can’t go wrong with pure Ceylon cinnamon. This is blended with the warmth of crushed ginger and cardamom tempered by star anise, nutmeg, and the hum of black peppercorns, cayenne, clove, and pimento.
How did we manage to incorporate all these lovely flavors, you might ask? We search the world for the best specialty grade organic spice and tea suppliers.
We strive to give our customers that perfect tasting cup by bringing together the very best of what the seasons have to offer.
It’s a cuppa chai you won’t (want to) forget.
See more: The differences between Chai & Tea