Is Chai Tea Really Tea

Chai is steeped in a rich history. The name “chai” is actually the Hindi word for “tea”, which was derived from “cha”, the Chinese word for “tea”. … But the traditional ingredients of a spiced tea blend usually include black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black peppercorns.

Is Starbucks chai really tea?

Chai in the West has become synonymous with the overly sweet, oddly spicy blend that Starbucks sells as a Chai Tea Latte. … But in India, chai takes on different flavor profiles, snack accompaniments, and even drinking vessels depending on the region or city or town.

Is chai a tea or coffee?

The chai latte is hot, milky, fragrant, gently spicy, and popular in cafés everywhere. However, despite the fact that it’s served in coffee shops and named after the latte, it actually contains no coffee whatsoever. Chai is one of the world’s oldest tea-based drinks.