Want to learn about Tea India's Chai tea?

Discover the secrets behind the perfect chai blend, understand the cultural significance, and demystify the differences between chai and regular tea. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just starting your journey, this FAQ guide will be your go-to resource for everything you need to know about chai and Tea India.

1) What is chai?

Tea in India is often referred to as “chai,” and is a cultural icon and an integral part of daily life. Chai transcends social and economic boundaries, often serving as a warm, welcoming gesture to guests. It’s a ritual, a conversation started, and a source of comfort for millions across Indian culture and throughout the world. It’s not just a cup of tea; chai is a taste of tradition and hospitality in every cup.

2) What is CTC tea?

The CTC tea meaning stands for "Crush, Tear, Curl" tea. It's a method of processing tea leaves that is commonly used in the production of black tea. CTC black tea is known for its robust and strong flavor, which makes it a popular choice for making chai (spiced tea) in India.

The CTC tea-making process involves several steps:

1. Crush: Fresh tea leaves are mechanically crushed or torn into smaller pieces, often resembling small pellets or granules. This step helps to release the natural juices and enzymes from the leaves.
2. Tear: The crushed leaves are further torn into even smaller pieces, breaking them down into uniform sizes.
3. Curl: The torn leaves are then rolled into small, cylindrical shapes. This rolling process helps to develop the flavor and aroma of the tea.

CTC processing differs from the traditional orthodox tea-making method, which involves whole or large leaf tea leaves. CTC tea is favored for its ability to infuse quickly and produce a strong, full-bodied brew. It's especially well-suited for making strong and flavorful teas, like masala chai, where the tea needs to stand up to the spices, milk, and sugar typically added during preparation.

3) What does chai taste like?

Chai is a blend of bold and aromatic flavors. It offers a rich, earthy essence of black tea infused with a medley of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger. The spices impact warmth and complexity to the brew, while a touch of sweetness from sugar or honey, along with the creaminess of milk, creates a harmonious balance. The taste of Tea India’s chai is both comforting and invigorating with a slightly spicy and subtly sweet profile that varies in intensity based on personal preferences and regional recipes.

4) What chai flavors does Tea India offer?

As mentioned, the flavor of chai can vary depending on personal preference, but it typically encompasses a blend of rich and aromatic notes. Tea India offers tea blends with real fragrant spices like Cardamom Chai, Cinnamon Chai, Ginger Chai, and Masala Chai. If you are looking to add your own spices to your chai, we offer Orange Pekoe Tea and Premium Assam Black Tea.

We offer various chai options beyond flavor, depending on which one best fits your lifestyle. We are proud to provide tea bags, round tea bags to maximize the taste and strength of the tea, loose leaf CTC black tea, single-serve cups, and instant latte mixes.

5) What do Tea India’s Instant Chai Latte’s taste like?

Tea India offers Instant Latte’s in Cinnamon, Ginger Turmeric, Cardamom, Ginger, Masala, and Milk Tea, and an Unsweetened Chai Mix.

Experience the authentic flavors you adore with our instant chai lattes. Simply add hot water to the mix and enjoy a delightful blend crafted from real milk tea, and spices. We take pride in being free of artificial flavors or preservatives, ensuring a pure and delicious chai experience that’s quick and easy to make.

6) Does chai tea have caffeine?

Tea India’s chai product have between 50-100 mg of caffeine per cup and most of our teas are from Assam, India, a region famous for bright, full-bodied black teas.

Make sure to read A Comprehensive Guide to Chai vs Coffee and Which Drink Fits Your Lifestyle, to learn more about chai tea caffeine.

7) Does Tea India offer decaffeinated tea?

Currently, Tea India does not provide any herbal or decaffeinated tea options.

8) Are there any discontinued products on the website?

Our available products are found on our websites apart from seasonal teas which are available certain times of the year.

9) Is there plastic in the tea bags Tea India uses?

Tea bags are made from a natural alternative to using plastic materials, ensuring they do not contain any plastics. Our commitment to eco-friendly packaging is reflected in our choice of materials, offering you a sustainable and enjoyable tea experience.

10) Are tea bags compostable?

Please be advised that the tea bags are made from a natural abaca fiber. There is a trace amount of resin in the fiber because the filter paper maintains a “wet strength.” We would recommend not using a compost bin.

Want to discover more about Tea India and the world of chai?

For additional information about Tea India products and answers to more frequently asked questions, be sure to visit our FAQ page. Explore our blogs for in-depth articles on various topics relation to our tea blends.