Chai
Masala chai vs kadak chai.
Masala chai is named for its spices. Kadak chai is named for its strength. They overlap more than people expect, and the easiest way to choose is to know what each word is really telling you.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 3 min read
Masala means
Spice blend
Kadak means
Strong, bold
Overlap
Often both
Order when
Spice or strength
01
Two words, two different questions
“Masala” answers the question: what is in the cup? It tells you the tea has been cooked with spices such as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon or cloves.
“Kadak” answers a different question: how strong is it? It is a Hindi word that means hard or sharp, and for tea it means a bold, well-brewed cup where the leaf is not shy.
Because they answer different questions, one cup can be both. A strong, spiced, milky tea is a kadak masala chai.
02
How masala chai usually tastes
Masala chai leads with aroma. Cardamom is floral, ginger is warm, and a little cinnamon rounds the sweetness. The balance is meant to be harmonious, so no single spice should shout.
The tea itself is strong enough to carry the milk but is not always the star. If you like a fragrant, comforting cup, this is the style to start with.
03
How kadak chai usually tastes
Kadak chai leads with the tea. It is brewed for longer or with more leaf, so the colour is darker, the flavour is deeper and there is a slight, pleasant astringency that cuts through the milk.
Spice is still welcome, and ginger is the common companion because its heat matches the tea’s edge. But the aim is a cup that wakes you up.
04
How the brewing differs
Both are simmered with milk rather than steeped in water alone. For kadak chai, the pot is kept at a boil a little longer so the tea can develop, and the milk is often added after the leaf has had time to infuse.
- Masala chai: balance the spices first, then add tea and milk and simmer gently.
- Kadak chai: give the tea more time or more leaf, and simmer until it turns deep amber.
- Either way, strain into a small cup and serve hot.
05
Which one should you order?
If you want something fragrant and cosy, ask for masala chai. If you want a strong, no-nonsense cup with some bite, ask for kadak chai. If you want both, ask for it spiced and strong.
At Tapri Chai our house chai is Kadak Chai at $4.49: bold and milky, brewed slowly with fresh ginger and cardamom, so it sits right where the two styles meet. For something richer and sweeter, Kashmiri Chai is $4.99.
Questions, answered.
Is kadak chai stronger than masala chai?
Usually, yes. Kadak means strong, so a kadak chai is made to taste more of the tea. A masala chai can be mild or strong, because masala only describes the spices.
Does kadak chai contain spices?
It often does. Fresh ginger and cardamom are common in kadak chai, but the word itself describes strength rather than ingredients.
Which has more caffeine, kadak or masala chai?
Caffeine depends on how much tea is used and how long it brews. A kadak chai typically uses more leaf or brews longer, so it can contain more, but the amount varies from cup to cup.
What is the difference between kadak chai and cutting chai?
Kadak describes strength, while cutting describes size: a cutting chai is a half-sized serving, popular in Mumbai. A cutting chai can also be kadak.
Where can I try kadak chai in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai in Barrhaven serves Kadak Chai as its house chai for $4.49. The kitchen is 100% vegetarian and the cafe is open 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.