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As the leaves turn and the air begins to cool, there is nothing more comforting than wrapping your hands around a steaming cup of chai. Beyond just a beverage, chai is a ritual, one that invites warmth, mindfulness, and connection. At Herbs & Kettles, we believe that crafting the perfect cup of chai begins with intention: high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a touch of love.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make the perfect cup of chai, the best tools and ingredients to use, why we prefer single-origin blends, and even the beauty of traditional clay cups called kulhads. You’ll also learn why instant mixes and concentrates can’t quite replicate the soul of a freshly brewed chai.
A truly great cup of chai starts with the tea itself. The foundation of all Herbs & Kettles chai blends is a single-origin Assam CTC (crush, tear, curl) black tea sourced directly from one of India's finest Assam tea garden.
Unlike mass produced blends, single-origin teas offer depth and complexity. A good chai should have body, briskness, and malty undertones that can stand up to milk and spices. When combined with hand-selected spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, the result is a cup that feels alive, layered, fragrant, and balanced.
Directly sourcing helps bring freshness to the chai blends. As compared to supermarket chais which can be years old, our chai blends are weeks to months old, thereby preserving the natural aromas and qulaity of the black tea and spices.
Equally important are the spices. We use whole, natural spices that are freshly ground in small batches. No artificial flavoring or sweeteners. just pure, aromatic ingredients that harmonize perfectly with the tea. This ensures that each sip captures the warmth and authenticity of traditional Indian chai. Our Vanilla Lavender Chai is a perfect example of the superb quality that Herbs & Kettles stands for, with 10% real vanilla bean sourced from a small farm in Kerala. lavender from Kashmir, blended meticulously with single origin Assam black tea and chai spices.
While chai can be prepared n almost any kitchen, a few simple tools will elevate your experience and help you achieve a consistent, flavorful cup.
Curved-edge saucepan: This helps the chai boil evenly and makes pouring smooth and easy. The curved edges prevents the chai for spilling all over when you are pouring it into your cup.
Measuring spoon and cup: Accuracy ensures balance. Measure your tea, milk, and water for repeatable perfection.
Mixing spoon: For stirring and aerating your chai, a key step for creating that signature frothy finish.
Chai strainer: A fine chai strainer filters out the leaves and spices, leaving you with a smooth, rich brew.
Your favorite chai mug or a traditional teracotta kulhad: Because presentation matters. The vessel you drink from can transform the experience.
Herbs & Kettles offers a collection of chai blends crafted with single-origin teas and freshly ground spices. Each blend has its own story and flavor:
Masala Chai – A bold and traditional chai with cardamom, ginger, and cloves for that perfect daily cup.
Rose Cardamom Chai – Romantic with delicate rose petals and green cardamom, this spiced rose chai is definitely a favotite of many.
Vanilla Lavender Chai – A soothing, aromatic chai with real vanilla bean and lavender, single origin Assam black tea and chai spices.
Cocoa Chai – A cozy fusion of Assam black tea, cacao nibs, cacao powder and warming spices, perfect for indulgent evenings.
Saffron Chai – Luxurious and fragrant, featuring real saffron threads from Kashmir, single origin black tea and spices.
Blue Chai – A caffeine-free, evening-friendly chai made with butterfly blue pea flower and spices, perfect for winding down at night.
Each chai is designed to balance flavor, aroma, and health, whether you need a morning energizer or a relaxing nightcap.
Chai is defined by its harmony of tea, milk, and spice, each element balancing the others. The type and ratio of milk you use can significantly affect the texture and flavor of your chai.
For a traditional, creamy cup, whole milk is our favorite. It provides richness and structure that complements the strength of black tea. Our ideal ratio is 1 cup of water to ½ cup of milk. This blend yields a velvety chai that’s full-bodied but not heavy.
For those who prefer dairy-free alternatives, choose clean, thick plant-based milks without added gums or preservatives. We love Elmhurst Cashew Milk for its neutral flavor and smooth mouthfeel. Oat milk, on the other hand, brings a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with our Rose Cardamom Chai or Cocoa Chai.
Adjust ratios to your taste as plant milks can vary in consistency, so a 1:1 ratio of water to milk works well for thicker varieties, while thinner ones might need less water.
Many chai recipes call for a double boil, first the spices, then the tea, then the milk. This works well if you’re brewing from scratch using whole spices and loose tea separately. But for our blends, which already combine tea and spices in perfect proportion, a single boil is ideal else the chai might be too bitter.
Add water, milk, and to a curved-edge saucepan.
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Add 2-3 teaspoons for the chai mix and sugar if you want it sweet.
Simmer for 4-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Areate by lifting and pouring the chai gently with a spoon. This step adds air and texture, creating a naturally frothy top without over-boiling.
Strain into your favorite cup or kulhad.
Sip slowly and enjoy the naturally sweet, spice-forward aroma of real chai.
Over-steeping can extract too many tannins, making your chai bitter. When that happens, people often add more sugar to compensate, which masks the nuanced flavors of the tea and spices. By perfecting the balance of time and temperature, you allow each ingredient to shine.
In India, chai is often served in small, unglazed clay cups called kulhads. These earthen vessels are not only eco-friendly and biodegradable, but they also add a distinct earthy aroma and flavor to the tea.
The porous clay lightly absorbs the chai’s warmth, releasing a subtle mineral note that enhances its richness. Drinking from a kulhad connects you to centuries of Indian tea culture, roadside chai stalls, laughter shared over steaming cups, and the ritual of returning the clay cup to the earth after use.
In a world of plastic and paper cups, the kulhad offers a sustainable alternative. They decompose naturally, leave no waste, and provide an authentic chai experience that engages all the senses.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to reach for convenience, chai tea-bag, bottled chai concentrates, powdered mixes, or syrupy versions that promise instant satisfaction. But these shortcuts often sacrifice what makes chai truly special.
Chai tea-bags will not give a uniform flavor and will lead to a weak cup of chai. The boil of the spices and tea with milk is what creates that beautiful rich spiced maltiness that you love.
Most concentrates and instant mixes are:
Overly sweetened, masking the complexity of tea and spices.
Made with artificial flavors instead of real spices.
Lacking in freshness and health, as the polyphenols in tea degrade over time.
Stripped of nuance, offering a flat, uniform taste instead of the lively interplay of cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon that evolves in a freshly brewed cup.
At Herbs & Kettles, we created our chai blends so that you can enjoy authentic, café-quality chai without additives or shortcuts. Every blend is ready to make, just add water and milk, boil once, and you’ll experience the true aroma and taste of handcrafted Indian chai. The result is balanced, vibrant, and satisfying, with no need for extra sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Once you’ve opened your chai blend, store it in an airtight tin away from light and moisture. This preserves the volatile oils in the spices and the freshness of the tea leaves. Our tins are specially designed to maintain the integrity of the ingredients while looking beautiful on your shelf.
Chai is more than a drink, it’s a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect. Whether you’re starting your morning, taking an afternoon break, or winding down in the evening, let your chai ritual be a small act of self-care.
Pair your chai with Indian snacks like samosas, kachoris, chaat or pakoras, or Western favorites like tea cakes or biscotti.
Each cup can be its own cozy ritual, a grounding moment amid the rush of daily life.
