Which Chai Is Right for You? A Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Chai
Which Chai Is Right for You? A Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Chai
If you've ever looked at the Chai Walli website and thought, which chai should I actually buy?, I don't blame you.
We have quite a few blends, and while having choice is wonderful, it can also be a little overwhelming when you are standing there trying to decide between 11 Spice, Golden Chai, Punjabi Cha, a caffeine free blend or something completely different.
The truth is, there isn't one "best" chai. Chai is incredibly personal. Just like coffee, wine or chocolate, we all have different flavour preferences. Some people love their chai spicy and fiery, while others want something softer and sweeter. Some want the caffeine from black tea, while others want a caffeine free chai they can enjoy in the evening.
So, rather than telling you which chai is the best, I thought I'd help you work out which Chai Walli blend is best for you.
If you want a classic, balanced masala chai: 11 Spice Chai
If you're new to Chai Walli, this is where I would start.
Our 11 Spice Chai is our original blend and the first chai I ever created for Chai Walli. It is still our best seller and won a Gold Medal at the Australian International Tea Expo Golden Leaf Awards in 2019. It is made with organic, fair trade black tea from Assam and 11 spices, including beautiful cinnamon and green cardamom, which we grind fresh ourselves.
The flavour is balanced rather than overwhelmingly spicy, with a smooth, aromatic character that works beautifully with milk. If you want a proper Indian masala chai but don't want something that is too hot, bitter or intense, this is probably the blend I'd point you towards.
Manjula, one of our Chai Lovers, described it as ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"The 11 spice blend is intense and flavoursome. A little bit will go a long way. I made it with Almond milk and totally enjoyed it. The Chai walli blend is truly authentic and if you are looking for an original Indian chai, this is the one you should try. I am very impressed. I have some chai loving friends who will love this as a gift. Will order some for them soon 😊".
Best for: Your everyday chai, first time chai drinkers, classic masala chai lovers and anyone who likes a balanced spice profile.
If you love a stronger, spicier chai: Golden Chai
If 11 Spice is the warm hug, Golden Chai is the one with a little more fire.
Golden Chai is our turmeric based masala chai, made with organic turmeric chips, traditional Punjabi chai spices and organic Assam black tea. It has a stronger, more warming flavour, with ginger and cloves coming through beautifully. It is designed for people who like their chai with a little more spice and intensity.
It is also quite different from a traditional turmeric latte. The turmeric sits alongside the tea and spices rather than being the only flavour, giving you a proper masala chai with that beautiful golden colour.
If you are someone who reaches for the chilli rather than the mild curry, you might want to start here.
Best for: Spicy chai lovers, turmeric lovers, chilly mornings and anyone wanting a bolder masala chai.
Shannon says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Everything I order from Chai Walli is amazing and this was no exception. It is spicier than the others I’ve tried, so if you’re not into that maybe it’s not for you - but I loved it!"
If you want chai without caffeine: 11 Spice Chai Caffeine Free
One of the questions we get asked a lot is whether you can have proper masala chai without the caffeine.
Absolutely.
Our 11 Spice Chai Caffeine Free is one of the blends closest to my heart because it was derived from my grandfather's signature Ayurvedic chai recipe. It contains no tea leaves, just our carefully balanced blend of spices and herbs, including rose petals, fennel and cloves.
It has all the aromatic, spiced character you expect from chai, but without the black tea. It is a beautiful option if you want to enjoy chai in the evening, are avoiding caffeine or simply love the flavour of spices more than the tea itself.
It is also certified caffeine free, sugar free, gluten free and vegan.
Best for: Evening chai, caffeine free chai drinkers and anyone who wants the flavour of masala chai without tea leaves.
Franca says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The 11 spice Chai is so delicious. It has all the flavour of a normal Chai without caffeine so I can drink it day and night. The aroma is divine!! The best Chai I’ve come across."
Shop: 11 Spice Chai Caffeine Free
If you want caffeine free but still love a fiery chai: Golden Chai Caffeine Free
If you read the Golden Chai description above and thought, yes, but I don't want caffeine, we've got you.
Golden Chai Caffeine Free gives you that stronger, warming Golden Chai flavour without the black tea. It is particularly lovely if you enjoy a spicy chai in the evening or want something warming without the caffeine.
One verified customer wrote that it was "very comforting at the end of the day", while another said it tasted "like what my mum used to make in India."
That last comment is one of my favourites because, ultimately, that feeling of connection to home is what chai is all about.
Best for: Caffeine free chai lovers who prefer a stronger, spicier flavour.
Anu says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is an excellent chai filled with the goodness of turmeric. Other beneficial spices add to the flavor. I could have it guilt-free and without compromising on taste. Mazaa a gaya!"
Shop: Golden Chai Caffeine Free
If you want simple, nostalgic Punjabi chai: Classic Punjabi Cha
Sometimes you don't need 11 spices.
Our Classic Punjabi Cha is deliberately simple, made with just three ingredients: fennel seeds, cardamom and organic Assamese black tea. It was created as my go to blend when I want something that reminds me of home.
In Punjabi, we call tea cha, and this blend is inspired by the kind of simple, aromatic tea you might be offered when you walk into an Indian home. There is something really beautiful about that simplicity. You can taste the fennel and cardamom rather than having them disappear into a long list of spices.
For me, this is the chai I reach for when I want something familiar.
Best for: People who love simple flavours, Punjabi style chai, fennel and cardamom, or want something that feels particularly connected to home.
Sahil says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The chai is beautiful and has authentic taste. Best part is all the ingredients are in one pack and easy to make. I'm really enjoying the chai and can definitely recommend others to try it."
If you want something uniquely Australian: Australian Native Masala Chai
This one is a little different.
Our Australian Native Masala Chai brings together Indian spices with Australian native ingredients from the rainforest and bushland. It was originally created after Deakin University approached us to create a gift that reflected both our connection to the university and our Australian identity.
It is a blend that feels very Chai Walli to me because it reflects something I think about a lot as a first generation Indian Australian. We don't have to choose between our cultures. We can bring them together and create something new.
The blend contains 30 to 40% Australian native ingredients sourced seasonally from small batch suppliers, alongside organic and fair trade tea.
Best for: Adventurous chai drinkers, people looking for an Australian made gift, lovers of native Australian flavours and anyone wanting something a little different.
Synthia says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I am enjoying this tea! The spices are subtle, with a hint of smokiness. It is very satisfying."
If you want an easy chai latte at home: Sticky Chai
If you love the chai latte you get at your favourite café, but want to make something similar at home, Sticky Chai might be the one for you.
Sticky Chai starts with our 11 Spice Chai and is blended with Australian honey, creating a rich, concentrated chai that is particularly easy to prepare. You can make it with a milk jug and steam wand, or simply prepare it in a teapot.
It is also naturally sweetened with honey, so you don't need to add sugar unless you have a particularly sweet tooth.
This is probably the most convenient option in our range for someone who wants a creamy, café style chai without having to cook a full pot of masala chai every time.
Best for: Chai latte lovers, espresso machine owners, busy mornings and people who like their chai creamy and naturally sweet.
Christina says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "OMG, best Chai I’ve ever had!! Absolutely love it. Can’t rave enough about it."
Still can't decide? Start with a taster
If you're sitting here thinking, but I want to try them all, I completely understand.
We created our Chai Walli Tasters for exactly this reason. You can choose from several of our blends in smaller sizes, so you can work out your favourite before committing to a larger bag. We also have a Mini Chai Sampler Pack if you'd rather have a few different blends to explore.
I actually think this is the best way to discover chai because you might surprise yourself. The blend you think will be your favourite may not be the one you end up reaching for every morning.
And that's the beauty of chai.
There is no one perfect chai
After all these years of making chai, I've learnt that there is no single recipe, spice combination or brewing method that will make everyone happy.
Chai is personal. It is influenced by where you grew up, what your family made, how much spice you like and even what kind of mood you're in that day.
That is why we have created such a diverse range at Chai Walli. Whether you want a classic masala chai, something fiery, a caffeine free chai, a simple Punjabi cha, an Australian native blend or an easy sticky chai latte, there is hopefully something that feels like your cup of chai.
And if you're still not sure, start with our Chai Walli Tasters or purchase our Chai Lovers Pack. Try a few, make them properly on the stovetop, experiment with your milk and sweetness and see which one you keep coming back to.
Because the best chai isn't necessarily the one everyone else loves.
It's the one you can't wait to make again.
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