Organic Masala Chai Black Tea
This Fair Trade Certified Masala Chai organic black tea blend has a medium-body with a warm spicy flavor and aroma. This formula is based on traditional South Indian blending methods and ingredients, using a very small leaf grade, as well as green cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Despite the small leaf, this organic tea has surprisingly little astringency. The clove and ginger really come through, with a wonderful cardamom finish. We recommend steeping a triple-strength cup of this organic Indian tea and serving it with honey and steamed milk. For illustrated step-by-step instructions, check out our guide on How To Make Chai Lattes.
Ingredients: organic black tea, organic cardamom, organic cinnamon, organic ginger root, organic clove, and organic black pepper
What are Blended Teas?
Our delicious blended teas use the same top-quality organic teas and/or botanicals offered in our single origin varieties, but are comprised of teas, herbs, fruit, and/or flowers of multiple origins and/or varieties. When blending our teas, our goal is to create a cup with a specific flavor profile in mind. Unlike single origin teas, which can vary from harvest to harvest (just like wine!), blended teas trade seasonal variation for year-to-year consistency. As a result, the formula and/or appearance of our blends may change over time, but you can rest assured that you’ll always receive an organic cup of tea with consistent flavor.
Steeping Instructions
At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. We recommend black teas to be steeped for 3 to 5 minutes in water heated to a full, rolling boil. For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible, and avoid overboiling. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!
Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!
Staff Perspectives
Lea
"A chai latte is my weekend favorite! Add frothed dairy or non-dairy milk and some honey for an aromatic, spicy, sweet, and foamy treat! Yum!"
Sarah
"Not only does this tea smell as delicious as it brews, but mix in a little milk and honey and it is a dessert in a cup!"
Jeremy
"I'm a big fan of Masala Chai blends, and this one is hands down my favorite!"
Aubrey
"While I usually prefer my Masala Chai with milk and honey, I also enjoy this one on its own."
Health Benefits
Like all true tea, black tea offers many potential health benefits. Research has found that tea (Camellia sinensis) can have many positive effects on human health, including improved cardiovascular function, cancer risk reduction, improved immune function, improved oral health, and help with weight management. Tea is also full of polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidant that help your body maintain homeostasis and balance your stress levels. Black tea specifically has been found to regulate blood sugar in diabetics better than other types of tea, according to a study done by the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
For more information about the health benefits of black tea and other types of tea, and for direct sources of the above information, check out our Tea Health Benefits page!
Please note: the information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Indian Masala Chai
Masala Chai (or simply referred to as “Chai”) has been a tradition throughout India for centuries. This spicy hot beverage is a brew of Indian black tea with a unique blend of spices, typically including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom and pepper, although the recipe varies region to region. Chai is consumed morning and afternoon by many Indian families, and is customarily the first thing offered to houseguests. So prevalent is the service of Chai throughout India that baristas, known as Chaiwallahs, can be found at just about every corner. These chai vendors are a staple of the community and their stands are often a source of news and gossip.
For even more information about this and other traditions, visit our Tea Traditions Page!
