Chai
Chai vs coffee.
Chai is milky, sweet and spiced; coffee is bitter, roasted and sharp. Here is how they compare, and why many people drink both.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 1 min read
Chai
Tea, milk, spice
Coffee
Roasted beans
Caffeine
Usually less in chai
Mood
Cosy vs sharp
01
Flavour
Chai is creamy and sweet, with cardamom, ginger and tea in the background. It is warming and aromatic. Coffee is roasted and bitter, with notes that depend on the bean and roast. It is sharper and more acidic.
02
Caffeine
A cup of brewed coffee usually has more caffeine than a cup of chai, though amounts vary with strength, size and brewing. Chai is often a gentler lift, and it is usually drunk in smaller cups.
03
Preparation
Chai is simmered with milk and spices in a pot. Coffee is brewed, pressed or pulled through a machine. Shaadi wali coffee, a beaten, frothy instant coffee, is closer to chai in feel because it is sweet and milky.
04
The ritual
In India, chai is a social drink, shared at tea stalls and at home. Coffee is often a solo or workplace drink. Both are comfort drinks, and many people like to have each at different times of the day.
05
Both at Tapri Chai
We serve Kadak Chai, Kashmiri Chai and Shaadi Wali Coffee, as well as a thick Desi Cold Coffee. Tapri Chai is at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
- Kadak Chai, $4.49
- Kashmiri Chai, $4.99
- Shaadi Wali Coffee, $4.99
- Desi Cold Coffee, $8.99
Questions, answered.
Does chai have more caffeine than coffee?
Usually less. A cup of coffee generally has more than a cup of chai, though it depends on strength and size.
Is chai healthier than coffee?
Both can be part of a balanced diet. Chai is often sweetened and made with milk, so it can contain more sugar.
Which is better for the evening?
Chai is often chosen in the evening. Caffeine affects people differently.
Can I get coffee at Tapri Chai?
Yes. We serve Shaadi Wali Coffee and Desi Cold Coffee.
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.