Chai

Masala Chai & Tea Online in India — Vegan Blends

Chai in India spans everything from single-estate Assam CTC to spiced blends, green teas and caffeine-free tulsi infusions. This range is filtered for blends with no dairy solids and no honey, so they work with oat, almond, soy or plain water.

What to look at on the label

• Base leaf. Assam CTC gives the strong, malty cup that stands up to milk and spice. Darjeeling and Nilgiri orthodox leaves are lighter and better brewed plain.
• Spice form. Blends using whole crushed cardamom, ginger and clove hold aroma far longer than those using "natural identical flavouring".
• Caffeine-free options. Tulsi, lemongrass, chamomile, hibiscus and rooibos contain no caffeine; green tea contains roughly a third of black tea's level.
• Additions to avoid if plant-based. Honey in wellness blends, and milk solids or caseinate in instant premixes.
• Storage. Tea absorbs odour. Airtight, opaque and away from spices keeps a blend usable for about a year.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a chai "kadak"?

Kadak means strong-bodied rather than simply bitter. It comes from CTC (crush-tear-curl) Assam granules rather than whole leaf, a longer boil, and a higher leaf-to-water ratio — roughly one heaped teaspoon per cup. Orthodox and Darjeeling leaves brew lighter and will not give a kadak cup however long you boil them.

Is masala chai vegan?

The tea and spices are, but most instant chai premixes are not. They list milk solids or sodium caseinate, which is milk-derived, so a pack marked "non-dairy creamer" is not automatically vegan. Honey also appears in wellness blends. Every blend in this collection is filtered for no dairy solids and no honey.

Which plant milk works best in kadak chai?

Oat milk is closest to dairy for body and froth and is least likely to split. Soy milk carries the most protein and holds up to boiling. Almond milk is thinner and can curdle if added to boiling tea — take the pan off the heat first, then add it. Barista editions are stabilised for heat and split less. See our plant-based milk range.

How do I brew kadak masala chai?

Boil water with the whole spices for two to three minutes to open them, add the tea and boil a further two minutes, then add plant milk and bring it back just to the boil. Strain immediately — leaving the leaf in past four minutes turns the cup bitter rather than stronger.

Does masala chai contain caffeine?

Yes. Black tea carries roughly 40–60mg per cup, about half a coffee. Green tea is around a third of black. Tulsi, lemongrass, chamomile, hibiscus and rooibos infusions contain no caffeine at all and are listed separately in this collection.

How should loose-leaf chai be stored?

Airtight, opaque and away from spices, since tea readily absorbs odour. Stored that way a blend stays good for about a year. Do not refrigerate — condensation each time you open the tin will dull the aroma faster than room temperature would.

See also all vegan beverages, plant-based milk and healthy snacks to go with it.

Delivered pan-India in 3–5 days.