15 Best Chai Tea Brands, Ranked

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When it comes to tea, many connoisseurs have a soft spot for the bold, distinctive aroma and flavor of chai tea. The name "chai tea" is redundant since "chai" by itself means "tea" in Hindi. Despite any potential naming redundancy, this warmly spiced brew is undeniably popular worldwide. 

At the heart of most chai is black tea, which accounted for 84% of all the tea U.S. residents consumed in 2019 (via The Tea Association of the U.S.A.). Traditionally, Assam and Darjeeling teas create the foundation of Indian chai. These tea varieties originate in different regions of India and are usually combined with warm spices such as cardamom and cloves. However, today's chai options are broader than ever and include many riffs on the classic blend.

Although nearly every tea distributor sells some iteration of chai, a few brands stand above the rest. These companies create unique, balanced spice mixes that make their chai tea memorable and tasty. Whether you enjoy your chai heavily spiced or lightly perfumed, the best chai tea brands offer a variety you're sure to love.  

Many people have encountered Stash Tea in their local grocery stores, but this national brand has humble beginnings. The company started when two friends entered the tea business with a limited selection of products over 40 years ago. Since then, the product line has grown to include dozens of traditional and flavored teas. Among its many products, the brand offers multiple versions of chai tea, including herbal and decaf varieties. All the flavors are bagged, with a select few also available in loose-leaf form.

The brand's Chai Spice is a perfect choice for chai lovers who especially enjoy cinnamon notes in their tea. This bagged tea features a photo of cinnamon sticks on the packaging and has cinnamon listed as the first ingredient in its spice mix. Many reviewers love this tea's pleasantly spicy, cinnamon-heavy flavor and recommend enjoying it as-is. However, some customers feel that the spice blend is a little unbalanced and may not be best for those who aren't cinnamon aficionados.

India has a long history as a major tea producer, and Vehdam Teas seeks to honor that storied past and bring Indian teas to a new generation. The brand sells bagged and loose-leaf teas that are harvested directly from India and prides itself on partnering directly with growers there. 

In addition to herbal, black, and green teas, the company offers multiple chai options to suit various tastes. For example, the brand's Saffron Chai provides an unusual take on the spice blend most tea drinkers associate with chai. This tea includes traditional warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom but combines those with the floral earthiness of saffron. This pairing creates a more mellow flavor than more cinnamon-heavy chai and lends a subtle sweetness to the tea. 

On Vadham's website, most customer reviews for this tea are positive. Many reviewers enjoy the unique balance that saffron adds to the chai blend, though some wish this flavor were a little more pronounced. This particular tea is only available in loose-leaf form, which may not be a great option for diehard fans of bagged teas. 

The U.K.-based tea distributor Twinings owes its origins to its namesake family, who have been a part of the tea industry since the 1600s. With such a long history, it's no surprise that this large company offers an impressive selection of teas. Its chai product line includes staples such as pumpkin spice and traditional chai and more unusual flavors like spiced apple and French vanilla.  

Consumers can find the company's original chai blend in bags or K-cups, and it's even available decaffeinated. It isn't the most unique chai tea on the market, but it's an affordable and accessible option for those who enjoy a straightforward spice profile. Most Influenster reviewers love the flavor and aroma of this tea and suggest pairing it with milk in the traditional style. However, some find the flavor to be too mild for their taste. Tea lovers who prefer a zingy chai may like the company's Ultra Spice variety instead, which has more pronounced cinnamon notes than this comparatively subdued blend.

Tea distributors that specialize in chai are often the best options for a satisfying cup of this spicy blend. David Rio started in 1996 and has become a chai staple in many specialty stores and restaurants. The brand has its own signature chai blend available in multiple flavors. Although most chai starts with black tea, David Rio also offers green and white tea-based blends. This makes the brand an excellent choice for those who want a break from tradition. All the David Rio signature chai varieties also have names inspired by endangered species because of the company's ties to wildlife conservation efforts. 

The company's Chai Cart line offers multiple worthwhile versions of its traditional Masala Chai. This smooth, bold loose-leaf tea has a warm, peppery flavor that differentiates it from more cinnamon-forward chai blends. The spice mix also includes fennel, which adds a subtle licorice-like note, as well as cardamom and ginger. The tea is also available as a strong pre-sweetened concentrate or a more diluted brew, either of which could be used to make lattes.

Many tea distributors offer pre-blended chai tea, but Diaspora Co. allows tea lovers to go a step further and create their own. This small company specializes in directly sourced spices from India but also provides a limited selection of beverage spice blends. Unlike most chai, the brand's Chai Masala doesn't contain black tea, making it naturally caffeine-free. The spices featured in this product include ginger, cardamom, and black pepper, all of which contribute to a bold cup of tea. 

The blend is delicious when brewed as-is but can easily be used to enhance traditional black tea — or any other tea you choose. Reviews for this spice blend are overwhelmingly positive regarding its quality and flavor. Many reviewers love the warm spiciness of the tea and praise the balanced taste. Unfortunately, the popularity of this product has a downside: high demand means customers often have to be waitlisted before they can snag a jar of their own.

Powdered teas can sometimes be questionable in terms of quality, but Blue Lotus Chai offers options that are as delicious as they are convenient. This Oregon-based company has specialized in chai tea since 2010 and provides a limited selection of flavored blends, including mint, star anise, and even matcha chai. The teas come packaged in reusable three-ounce tins, each of which makes 100 cups of chai. 

The brand's Traditional Masala Chai won a 2019 silver sofi Award in the tea category, an accolade given to products offering superior taste and quality. It has a traditional black tea base and contains certified organic spices for a warm, bold taste. Among other flavors, the spice mix includes black pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Customer reviews note this powdered tea is indiscernible from traditionally brewed tea due to its high-quality ingredients. The brand's website recommends dissolving this powder in equal parts water and milk to enjoy its flavor to the fullest. This chai is also sold in a one-pound bag for those who prefer to buy their tea in bulk. 

One of the most common ways to enjoy chai in the U.S. is in the form of a chai tea latte, which tea lovers can now find in most coffee shops. However, The Chai Box offers an easy way for consumers to make this popular beverage at home. The brand's Chai Concentrate is available sweetened and unsweetened and takes all the guesswork out of creating the perfect latte. Consumers can combine their desired amount of concentrate (a single serving is recommended at four ounces) with any kind of milk they choose. 

Reviewers on the brand's website have awarded this concentrate a perfect five stars. Many proclaim that this makes the best chai lattes they have ever tasted, and several love it enough to recommend the company's subscription service. Chai Box CEO Monica Sunny used her childhood love of chai as inspiration for the creation of the company's array of products. In addition to chai concentrate, consumers can purchase various loose-leaf tea blends or spices from the company, such as star anise, cardamom, and candied ginger.