Forget pumpkin spice, it’s chai tea season. The warm, cozy beverage is a fall staple, and a healthy one at that—from boosting immunity to fighting off indigestion, there’s a boatload of benefits in every cup of chai (and it tastes great, too). Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile—from creamy iced lattes sprinkled with cardamom and cinnamon to mugs of the tea on its own, there are so many ways to enjoy it right at home, saving you a trip to Starbucks.
Thirsty? We thought so. Before you run out to grab a box of tea, keep reading. We chatted with the experts to find the coziest, most flavorful chai teas your money can buy so you can brew the perfect cup. Below are the best chai teas to sip on all season long.
– Best loose leaf: In Pursuit of Tea Classic Chai (4 oz.), $14
– Best bagged: Numi Tea Golden Chai (18 Tea Bags), $9
– Best budget: Tazo Regenerative Organic Chai (16 Tea Bags), $4
– Best caffeine-free: Numi Rooibos Chai (18 Tea Bags), $9
– Best concentrate: The Chai Box Chai Concentrate (16 Oz.), $13
– Best powder: Blue Lotus Traditional Masala Chai (3 Oz.), $23
– Best sampler set: Vadham India Chai Teas Gift Sampler, $22
What to look for when choosing a chai tea
Many chai products can serve as a blank canvas for experimentation. Regardless of your choice, there are a few factors to consider as you shop.
First, consider the ingredients. “I always like to look for organic varieties to avoid unnecessary chemical consumption,” Christina Manian, RDN, registered dietitian and W+G contributor. If this is important to you, select chai that carries the USDA Organic Seal, which ensures that a product hasn’t come into contact with GMOs, synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides. Manian also prefers products that have a Fair Trade certification, which means that they meet social, environmental, and economic standards, including safe working conditions and a sustainable livelihood for farmers.
As you choose, you’ll encounter loose and bagged tea, as well as powders and concentrates, each with its own perks. “For the most classic preparation, use loose tea,” says Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. “You’ll get control over how long you want it to steep and how sweet you would like it to be.” Tea bags and powders make brewing quicker and more convenient, while those who prefer their chai iced might want to consider a concentrate, she adds.
What to avoid
As for what to avoid? “Any premade varieties that included added sugar,” says Manian. “Added sugar is a known pro-inflammatory agent that can detract from the wonderful health benefits of chai,” Ziata adds that you may also want to steer clear of artificial flavors if you want to achieve the most authentic chai.
Shop the best chai tea
Form: Loose leaf | Size: 4 oz., 1 lb. | USDA organic? No | Fair Trade certified? No
Ziata mentions that loose-leaf tea offers the most classic preparation and most customization. She recommends options from In Pursuit of Tea.
“In Pursuit of Tea makes a very warming Classic Chai, but I am also partial to their Thai Chai, which contains a little saffron too,” she says. The single-origin Assam tea bursts with natural flavors of cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and ginger, resulting in something pleasantly spicy that can be enjoyed with or without milk. It’s available in 4-ounce up to 1-pound bags, in both loose leaf and bagged form.
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