COFFEE GUIDE
Chai Latte
Spiced tea concentrate plus steamed milk. No espresso. Full of flavor.
WHAT IT IS
A chai latte is spiced tea concentrate (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, black tea) mixed with steamed milk. Chai means tea in Hindi, so "chai tea latte" is technically redundant. The word "chai" is sufficient. Standard size is 8 to 12 oz.
HOW IT IS MADE
Chai concentrate is added to a cup or pitcher. Milk is steamed and poured over the concentrate in roughly equal proportions. Good shops use house-made concentrate from whole spices. Most chains use a commercial syrup.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Warm, spiced, and sweet. Cardamom and ginger are usually dominant. The tea base provides a slight tannin background. House-made chai has layered complexity. Commercial chai syrup tastes flat and sweet.
WHEN TO ORDER IT
When you want something spiced and warming without coffee. When you want a flavored hot drink with moderate caffeine. For a non-coffee option that still has real substance.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "chai latte." Ask if their chai is house-made or concentrate. For extra spice, ask if they can add fresh ginger or more cardamom.
VARIATIONS
Dirty chai: with an espresso shot added. Iced chai: served cold. London fog: similar concept with Earl Grey and vanilla instead of chai.
CAFFEINE
About 30 to 70mg per 8 oz serving from the black tea base. Varies depending on the tea strength and steeping time.
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Chai Latte. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
Find a great Chai Latte near you
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Find a great Chai Latte near you
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