10 Best Chai Teas 2022 | UK Lifestyle Blogger Reviewed

Rachael has been a writer, editor and marketing communications specialist for some 18 years, writing about all things tea and lifestyle for her blog "Tea with Rachael" for over a decade. She loves tea and enjoys trying different types of tea, as well as pairing teas with food and fun things to see and do.

Keep up-to-date with all things tea and lifestyle-related on Rachael's blog, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and discover some new tea blends that might just become your new favourite!

1. Vahdam - Original Chai Masala Spiced Black Tea for £12.99
2. Palanquin - Masala Chai Spiced Tea for £17.15
   
3. Tea People - Desi Loose Leaf Masala Chai for £9.95
   
4. Yogi Teas - Turmeric Chai for £12.60
   
5. English Tea Shop - Organic Black Tea Chai for £8.46
   

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. Choose a Tea Depending on Your Preferred Strength and Time Constraints
   
2. Consider the Variety of Flavours Available
   

Chai was made to be consumed as a loose leaf tea. That's because dried loose tea leaves generally have a more intense, aromatic flavour, making them much more pleasurable to drink. 

However, brewing loose leaf chai will require a tea strainer or infuser and takes a bit more effort and care to prepare than your bog standard tea bag. Loose-leaf teas also tend to be more costly, but if you're lucky enough to have it within your budget, the flavour pay off is definitely worth it.

If you prefer something a little stronger, try our Best Instant Coffees!

For yummy chai on a budget, why not try tea bags? They come in great value packs, impart a pretty decent flavour and save both time and effort which can be useful if you like to drink your tea at work.

Tea bags are generally quite far removed from how masala chai is typically served and taste more subtle, or dare we say slightly weaker than loose leaf. However, with the right blend of spices, certain supermarket chai bags still manage to pay a respectful nod to the traditional Indian drink. 

To save even more preparation time, you could consider picking up a powdered chai. Although the sweet and mild flavour is about as far from the traditional tea as you can possibly get, if you have developed a taste for a chai latte, then powder is your best bet to recreate it.

Unfortunately, these types of powdered hot drinks tend to be packed with extra sugars, which not only affects the overall flavour, but may be detrimental to those looking to cut down on dietary sugars.

For something sweeter, try our Best Hot Chocolate Powders!

To really sample the best of what authentic chai is all about, pick a black tea blended with green cardamom pods, cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger and black peppercorns. 

This flavour combination is as bright and refreshing as it is heart-warming and reassuring. These teas let you enjoy a recipe closest to traditional Indian masala chai, without going rogue and losing the magic. 

If you decide to experiment and slightly veer away from the classic chai flavours, perhaps you might want to try a more subtle spice. Additions such as vanilla and turmeric add a new element to your tea, while respecting the hot, spicy essence of a traditional chai. 

Vanilla chai is sweet and comforting, whereas turmeric chai has the slightest bitterness that (literally) gets the blood pumping. Despite adding different elements, both blend fantastically with the typical base flavours. In addition to its pleasant flavour, turmeric is known for its antioxidant properties and may even help strengthen your immune system. 

Check whether your chai tea contains added liquorice or star anise and if so, decide whether those are flavours you think you might like to try. These are not typical chai ingredients but are included as a base flavour in a number of herbal teas.

These ingredients can make or break your tea, especially if you've got an idea of what kind of flavours and aroma you're expecting, as they both have a strong, noticeable taste that not everyone is keen on. 

To keep it plant-based, try our Best Oat Milks!

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

'I personally really like vanilla chai or any black tea flavoured with natural vanilla or cinnamon flavours. I enjoy it all year round, as it also makes a great milk/dairy alternative-based iced drink in the summer and warmer weather, as well as making a very comforting hot drink in the cold weather.'

'I also like to mix and match and make up my own blends with other loose leaf teas and different herbs and spices. Why not try it for yourself?'

Keen to use your new tea bags or loose-leaf chai in a warming recipe? Here's how you can easily create a sumptuous chai latte at home!

The following recipe serves 4. As a dairy-free alternative, we recommend using coconut milk and for an added punch, add the fresh spices to your newly-purchased chai tea.

Ingredients:

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 6 black peppercorns
• 2 cm of fresh ginger
• 3 black tea bags or chai tea bags 
• 500 ml whole milk or coconut milk
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

Method:

1. Toast the spices in a dry frying pan until they become fragrant, add them to a saucepan filled with 500ml of boiled water, fresh ginger, and tea bags, then leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
2. In a separate pan, begin to heat 500ml of milk, slowly sprinkling in the brown sugar and stirring until it fully dissolves. Once it starts lightly steaming, you can froth using a milk foamer or whisk to create that signature chai latte foam.
3. Strain the tea into four mugs or heat-proof glasses, then pour in the milk on top. Stir before finishing with the milk foam and a pinch of cinnamon. 
4. Drink and enjoy!

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Written and researched by Annie Hopkins