Chai
Chai vs chai tea latte.
A chai tea latte is a cafe version of masala chai, usually built from a sweet spiced concentrate and steamed milk. Traditional chai is cooked in a pot, from scratch.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Traditional chai
Simmered in a pot
Chai latte
Often concentrate + steamed milk
Tea strength
Bolder in chai
Sweetness
Lower in chai
01
The name
Chai is simply the word for tea in Hindi and several other languages. “Chai tea” therefore repeats itself, and “chai tea latte” adds a coffee-shop format on top. It is a fine order, but it describes a drink that grew from masala chai rather than the original.
02
How each is made
Traditional masala chai is a one-pot drink: water, milk, tea leaves, sugar and whole spices simmered together, then strained. Everything cooks in the same pot and the flavour develops as it simmers.
A chai tea latte is typically assembled to order. Many cafes pour a ready-made spiced concentrate into a cup and top it with steamed milk and foam, the same way an espresso latte is built. Some cafes do brew their own, but the format is borrowed from coffee.
03
How they taste
Chai leans on strong tea, with spice supporting. A chai latte tends to lean on sweetness and spice, with the tea more in the background and a lighter, foamier texture.
Neither is wrong. If you like a dessert-like warm drink, a latte can be exactly right. If you want to taste tea and spice in the same sip, traditional chai is the one.
04
How to tell what you are getting
A few quick signs of the real thing:
- It is described as brewed or simmered rather than made from a syrup or powder.
- You can see ginger or cardamom mentioned, ideally as fresh or whole.
- It comes in a small cup, not a large paper tumbler.
- The tea is the first flavour, not the sugar.
05
Real chai in Ottawa
At Tapri Chai in Barrhaven, our Kadak Chai ($4.49) is brewed slowly with fresh ginger and cardamom, and Kashmiri Chai ($4.99) is a pink creamy tea with almonds and pistachios. If you like your drinks creamy and iced, our Desi Cold Coffee is a thick shake ($8.99).
Questions, answered.
Is a chai latte real chai?
It is inspired by chai. A chai latte borrows the spices and the milk, but is usually built like a coffee-shop latte rather than simmered in a pot.
Why do Indians say “chai tea” is wrong?
Because chai already means tea in Hindi, so “chai tea” says “tea tea”. It is a harmless habit in English, but it is not how the drink is named in India.
Is chai stronger than a chai latte?
Traditional chai usually has a stronger tea flavour because it is simmered with the leaf. A latte is often sweeter and milder.
Does chai have more caffeine than coffee?
Typically less. A cup of chai usually contains less caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee, though exact amounts vary with strength and size.
Where can I get traditional chai in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai in Barrhaven simmers its chai with fresh ginger and cardamom. Visit 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.