Chai
What is masala chai?
Masala chai is Indian spiced milk tea: black tea simmered with milk, sugar and whole spices such as cardamom, ginger and cinnamon until it turns deep, creamy and fragrant.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 3 min read
The name
Spiced tea
The base
Black tea and milk
The spices
Cardamom and ginger first
Served
Hot, sweet, in small cups
01
What the name means
Masala means a blend of spices, and chai is the word for tea across much of India. Put together, masala chai simply means spiced tea.
That is also why many Indians smile at the phrase “chai tea”. It translates to “tea tea”. In India, asking for chai gets you tea, and in most cities that means the milky, sweet, spiced kind.
02
What goes into the pot
A good cup starts with strong black tea, often a granular Assam-style leaf that can stand up to milk. The tea is cooked with water, milk and a sweetener, along with whole spices crushed just before they go in.
- Cardamom: floral, a little citrusy, the signature note of chai.
- Ginger: fresh and warming, with a gentle heat at the back of the throat.
- Cinnamon: soft sweetness and a woody warmth.
- Cloves and black pepper: a small amount adds depth and a slow, peppery finish.
- Fennel or star anise: optional, for a faint liquorice sweetness in some households.
03
Simmered, not steeped
The method matters as much as the ingredients. Instead of dunking a tea bag in hot water, masala chai is brought to a boil and then kept at a steady simmer so the tea, milk and spices cook together.
That longer contact is what gives chai its colour, body and rounded flavour. It is also why a cup made from a syrup or a powder rarely tastes the same: many cafe “chai lattes” are built from a sweet concentrate and steamed milk rather than a simmered pot.
04
What it tastes like
Expect a cup that is creamy and sweet first, then spiced. Cardamom arrives early and floral, ginger adds a little heat, and the tea stays present underneath so it never tastes like warm spiced milk.
If you are new to chai, think of it as a hot drink that is both comforting and lively. The spice should warm you, not burn.
05
How and when people drink it
In India chai is a rhythm of the day: first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon, and whenever friends arrive. Roadside tea stalls, called tapris, serve it in small cups all day, often beside something to dunk or bite into.
Classic partners are buttered bread, plain biscuits, fried snacks like samosas, and anything crisp enough to survive a dip. Salty and fried foods work especially well against the sweetness.
06
Chai at Tapri Chai
Our house chai is Kadak Chai at $4.49: bold, milky and brewed slowly with fresh ginger and cardamom. If you want something richer, Kashmiri Chai at $4.99 is a pink, creamy tea with almonds and pistachios.
For something to go with it, try a Bun Maska ($3.49), a soft buttered bun made for dipping, or a pair of Samosas ($4.99). The cafe is at 200 Kennevale Dr in Barrhaven and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
Questions, answered.
Is masala chai the same as chai tea?
They refer to the same idea, but “chai tea” is the English-language phrase and literally repeats the word tea. In India the drink is just called chai, or masala chai when it is spiced.
Which spices are in masala chai?
Cardamom and ginger are the two most common. Many households also add cinnamon, cloves and black pepper, and some add fennel or star anise. There is no single fixed recipe.
Does masala chai have caffeine?
Yes. It is made with black tea, which contains caffeine. The amount depends on how much tea is used and how long it is simmered.
Can you make masala chai without milk?
You can, using water alone or a plant milk, but the result is lighter and less creamy than the traditional version, which is cooked with dairy milk.
Where can I get chai in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai serves chai in Barrhaven at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104. The house chai is Kadak Chai, and the kitchen is 100% vegetarian. Hours are 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.