7 Best Chai Teas, According to Experts

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.

Normally $11

Form: Tea bags | Size: 8, 15, 16, 18, 100 tea bags | USDA certified? Yes | Fair Trade certified? Yes

If you like the convenience of tea bags but don’t want to sacrifice flavor or potency, Manian recommends this blend by Numi. Its teas are USDA organic- and Fair Trade certified, and just as importantly, aromatic and flavorful. What’s more, it’s free of unwanted additives like sugar and artificial flavoring. What it does contain are spices, such as cardamom, ginger, and star anise, and the flavor is well-balanced, not bitter. Golden Chai is sold in counts of 8, 15, 16, and 18, and there is a cost-effective 100-count option. Numi offers other varieties, like Roobios Chai, which also come in loose-leaf form.

Form: Tea bags | Size: 16 tea bags | USDA certified? Yes | Fair Trade certified? Yes

Tazo also produces USDA organic- and Fair Trade-certified bagged tea and comes with the recommendation of Manian. The Organic Chai teems with notes of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and black pepper—it’s a warm hug in a cup that’s neither too sweet nor too spicy. Plus, it’s good on its own or with a splash of milk. Tazo’s Organic Chai is sold in a count of 16 and is widely available online and in stores. The brand also makes other bagged chai varieties, including Pumpkin Spice Chai and Vanilla Caramel Chai, as well as a Classic Chai Latte concentrate.

Normally $11

Form: Tea bags | Size: 18 tea bags | USDA organic? Yes | Fair Trade certified? Yes

If you want to avoid caffeine, consider the Roobios Chai from Numi. It brings the spice without the buzz. The USDA Organic and Fair Trade-certified blend is made with rooibos, a caffeine-free tea that is similar to black tea. It has a woodsy flavor and is full of warming spices—namely, allspice, cardamon, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s mellow, but the spices still shine through, making it ideal for drinking on its own or with milk. Like the Numi Organic Chai, it’s also available in loose-leaf form and in counts 8, 15, 16, and 18, and 100 for an affordable price.

Form: Concentrate | Size: 16 oz.| USDA organic? No | Fair Trade certified? No

If you like your chai with milk, consider a liquid concentrate. Just mix it with the milk of your choice, and voilà—you have a tasty drink. “The Chai Box Chai Concentrate is a lovely treat,” says Ziata, who adds that it’s also “perfect for an effortless glass of iced chai.” It comes in two options: an unsweetened version for people who want to avoid sugar, and a sweetened version containing raw sugar. Both are infused with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and ginger, yielding a cup of chai with a robust—but not brazen—spice profile. Psst—it’s not just for lattes; you can use it in other recipes, too.

Form: Powder | Size: 0.5, 2, 3, 8, oz.; 1 lb.| USDA certified? No | Fair Trade certified? No

Blue Lotus makes sugar-free powdered tea that offers convenience and flavor. I was first introduced to its products through its Masala Chai Collection, which contains all its most popular varieties, and the Traditional Masala Chai was a personal favorite. It’s my idea of a perfect chai: it’s pleasantly spicy, and when I want it sweeter, I use milk to offset the heat. Tasting notes include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg, which offers an instant pick-me-up at first sip. This version is available in 0.5, 2, 3, 8 ounces and in a one-pound bag, and Blue Lotus also offers other varieties like Rooibos Masala Chai and Golden Masala Chai.

Form: Loose leaf | Size: 1 oz./tea bag | USDA Certified? No | Fair Trade certified? No

If you aren’t sure about which chai you like—or you’re looking for a gift for your favorite tea lover—consider the Vahdam India’s Assorted Chai Tea Sampler. The set includes 10 loose-leaf chai blends, including Assam Spiced Masala Chai, Earl Grey Masala Chai, Sweet Cinnamon Masala Chai, Vanilla Spiced Masala Chai, and more. They’re all made from natural ingredients and no additives and come in vacuum-sealed pouches to preserve their freshness. The blends are also aromatic and have a full-bodied flavor that tastes as delicious with milk or as it does on its own.