Let’s be real for a moment. I don’t always make myself a cup of masala chai from scratch. While I do know that it’s incredibly satisfying and delicious to drink a warm cuppa that I know was made entirely by me, there are many days I just want to use a tea that is already blended for my convenience. There is no doubt that I love masala chai. It’s always a favourite when the colder seasons arrive whether I prepare it traditionally, bake with it, or even steep it into my hot chocolate for an extra tasty treat. I even named my cat Chai because of my love for it! So when I’m feeling like a quicker but still delightful and flavourful cup, I reach for one of my favourite and best chai brands.

Most masala chai consist of the same spices with a black tea base (usually Assam tea) but what can make the taste different is the ratio of each.

Quality is another key thing that makes a huge difference in the taste of a masala chai.

For me, I have never found a masala chai tea bag that I would consider one of the best chai brands out there. Perhaps if it were a higher quality tea bag and actually filled with whole leaves and ingredients, but I still have always found the best cup of masala chai coming from loose leaf with whole, real and fresh ingredients when possible.

I once ordered a chai latte at a cafe, excited to see it on the menu, only to be disappointed when I was handed a mug of steamed milk with just a generic chai tea bag in it.

Needless to say, I did not head back there for a chai latte again, and, since then, I have been pretty picky with ordering chai lattes at cafes unless I know the chai brand being used in advance.

RELATED READ: What Is Masala Chai & Why You Should Never Call It “Chai Tea”

I’ve tried several different masala chai blends from various tea companies over the past few years but I always find myself coming back to five favourites (plus a bonus!).

These five are all handcrafted and from tea companies that deserve the spotlight. I wanted to keep this list with the best chai brands that offer traditional, and most authentic masala chai.

In no particular order, if you’re looking for a wonderful masala chai blend, here are the best chai brands I recommend.

Best Chai Brands I Recommend

1. South Cloud Chai from Tielka Tea

South Cloud Chai is an original blend by the founder of Tielka. It’s a bit different from the other teas on this list as its main ingredient is actually a black tea from China.

Tielka’s award-winning signature Dianhong black tea is used as the base in this chai and offers a malty finish. This black tea is grown and harvested in the high elevations of the Yunnan Province during September-November.

The name of this blend is in honour of the origin as Yunnan can be translated to “South of the cloud”. Whole spices like ginger, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel and nutmeg are blended with the Chinese black tea.

For another unique spin, this chai blend also features pepperberries that are grown in Tasmania, Australia. The pepperberries are not spicy like the traditional chai spices here. Instead, it adds a sweet fruity aroma.

In addition to loose leaf, they also offer this chai in tea bag format. Tielka Tea’s pyramid tea bags are made from 100% plastic-free compostable plant-based fibre.

South Cloud Chai has won gold two years in a row at the Golden Leaf Awards. It is organic and fairtrade certified, too. Learn how to make a concentrate with this chai here.

Ingredients: Dianhong black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, fennel, nutmeg, and pepperberries.

Price: $22.00 for 160 grams (loose leaf) or $14.00 for 50 grams (25 plastic-free tea bags)

Ships: Internationally

BUY THIS CHAI HERE

2. All Chai’d Up from The Chai Box

The Chai Box was started by Monica who grew up drinking chai since she was just two years old. Growing up in an Indian household, masala chai is part of her culture and heritage.

Monica has taken her mother’s traditional chai recipe and put her own spin on it for The Chai Box.

All Chai’d Up is her original chai blend that is made with her True Blend (Darjeeling, Assam, and Orange Pekoe teas) and hand picked spices directly from plantations in Kerala, India.

It’s a powerful, flavour packed masala chai that is delicious whether you prepare it with the stovetop method or just steep in a cup. Monica definitely knows the right tea to spice ratio for her blend, making The Chai Box an easy pick as one of the best chai brands.

The Chai Box is the place for all things chai, so I would definitely recommend checking out the other masala chai inspired blends on their website.

Ingredients: Black tea, Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Fennel

Price: $12.00 for 70 grams

Ships: Internationally

BUY THIS CHAI HERE

3. India’s Original Masala Chai from Vahdam Teas

Vahdam Teas has been my go-to for bold black teas for quite some time now. I especially love them first thing in the morning!

Their Assam CTC is one of my favourites and that tea is featured in this delicious chai option. Their original masala chai was love at first sip. It’s the perfect blend of spices.

I really appreciate when a masala chai blend doesn’t hide the actual tea and the bold, malty assam can still shine. That’s exactly the case when making a cup of this tea.

If you’re also not a huge fan of fennel, this chai doesn’t feature that spice. You can steep this masala chai in hot water and all you need is a splash of milk to enhance the creaminess or just steep it in milk entirely.

Ingredients: Assam Black Tea, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Black Pepper & Cloves

Price: $8.99 for 100 grams

Ships: Internationally

BUY THIS CHAI HERE

4. Punjabi Masala Chai from Teabox

With one sip of this loose leaf masala chai, you’ll be wondering how you went so long just drinking chai tea bags. Teabox has an entire collection for chai blends. You can find them all here.

Their Punjabi Masala Chai is my favourite from their chai collection though. I first fell in love with this masala chai because of the fact that many of the spices that were added were still in whole form, which most likely led to it having the incredible flavours I loved it for.

It also uses a CTC (cut-tear-curl) black tea which takes to milk and sugar very well and makes this chai extra bold and rich.

Cardamom is my favourite spice and it really shines in this masala chai making it so easy to love sip after sip. I also enjoy that Teabox uses both green and black cardamom in this chai. They even included bishop’s weed in this blend for a powerful kick. So much flavour in one sip!

Ingredients: CTC Black tea, black cardamom, bishop’s weed, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, fennel

Price: $8.50 for 100 grams

Ships: Internationally

BUY THIS CHAI HERE

5. Organic Masala Chai from The Teaguy

Teaguy Masala Chai is now sold under Denman Island Tea. The tea blender of this handcrafted chai was inspired after falling in love with chai while climbing in the Karakorum region of Pakistan and sampling hundreds of variations.

I’m not sure what it is exactly about this particular chai, but I found it to be one of the most aromatic ones on this list! If you’re a big fan of cloves and ginger, here is a chai you should definitely give a try.

While all of the spices are balanced nicely, the warm and sweet bites from the cloves and ginger are quite powerful. Overall, this masala chai is very smooth and the sensational aroma lasts throughout the tea session.

Ingredients: Assam black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.

Price: $18.00 for 100 grams

Ships: Canada & United States

BUY THIS CHAI HERE

BONUS CHAI:

Cha-Cha Chai from Twin Flame Tea

I wanted to include this chai blend as a bonus because while it is delicious it is not very traditional. The base is a black tea that mingles with ginger, cinnamon and green cardamom spices. However, it also has extra ginger flavouring and vanilla.

This chai is beautifully balanced and extra creamy with the vanilla addition. For that reason, it’s the perfect blend to steep double strength and make as a chai latte. If you’re looking for a unique chai inspired blend, here you go!

Ingredients: Black tea, ginger root, cinnamon, green cardamon, ginger and vanilla flavouring

Price: $15.00 for 1.5 ounces (or $5.00 for sample size)

Ships: Internationally

BUY THIS CHAI HERE

*Please note that Twin Flame Tea also has a line of hemp-infused teas. However, the chai I am talking about here is 100% hemp-free. If you’re interested in a hemp-infused chai check it out here. I have not tried that one though.

I really love that each of these chai brands offer something unique with their blends. No two chai blends were the same here and there was a particular flavour that stood out the most in each for me. If you give any of these best chai brands a try, be sure to let me know. If you just want to make your own masala chai from scratch at home the check out my Homemade Masala Chai recipe here.

**feature photo credit: thevelvetbird via photopin (license)

Do you also enjoy some of the best chai brands on this list or have another you want to share? Share in the comments below!