Masala Chai

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To most Westerners, it is a little known fact that the word 'Chai' simply means 'tea' in Hindi. Therefore, all teas are technically chais. However, instead of the 'chai' that most Americans are used to (which usually contains really bad tea), we offer a Masala Chai tea - premium Ceylon black tea with a unique blend of spices; cinnamon, cardamon, and ginger.

Historically, tea in India was viewed as an herbal medicine, rather than as a beverage for taste. Some chai spice blends still in current use are derived from Ayurvedic medical texts. Popular spices include anise, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, peppercorn and ginger. Traditional preparation actually calls for the spices, milk and leaves to be simmered over sustained heat, rather than steeped in preheated water (like regular tea). In India, chai is served in little clay cups from chai carts. After enjoying your tea, the cups are shattered on the ground and allowed to compost - an earth-friendly alternative to the paper and plastic cups popular in the U.S.