Key takeaways
- Masala chai is simmered tea with milk and whole spices; a chai latte is a café-style drink, often made from a concentrate or syrup and steamed milk.
- 'Chai' means tea, so 'chai tea' is redundant, although the term is common in the U.S.
- Chai lattes are usually sweeter and creamier; masala chai is typically stronger and spicier.
- Both contain caffeine because they are made with black tea, unless made with a caffeine-free base.
Masala chai is a traditional spiced milk tea in which black tea, milk, water and spices are simmered together, while a chai latte is a café-style drink that usually mixes a chai concentrate or syrup with steamed, frothed milk. The first is brewed from scratch and tastes bold and spicy; the second is smoother, sweeter and creamier. Both are made with black tea, so both contain caffeine.
This guide compares them side by side and shows how to choose, or make, the one you prefer.
What does “chai” mean?
“Chai” is a word for tea in Hindi, Urdu, Russian, Persian, Turkish and many other languages, derived from the Chinese character for tea. That is why “chai tea” literally means “tea tea.” In English-speaking countries, “chai” has come to mean spiced milk tea, so people say “chai” to mean masala chai or a chai latte. This usage is common, and you will see it on menus everywhere.
To learn the basics of tea itself, read our complete guide to tea.
What is masala chai?
“Masala” means a blend of spices. Masala chai is a tea made by simmering strong black tea with milk, water, sweetener and a mixture of spices. Typical spices include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and black pepper. You can read more at the Masala chai entry on Wikipedia.
Key features:
- Cooked on the stove, with ingredients simmering together.
- Strong black tea base, often Assam or a broken-leaf variety.
- Made with real milk and whole or freshly ground spices.
- Sweetened to taste, often with sugar.
- Flavor is warm, bold, slightly peppery and robust.
If you want to try it, follow our recipe for how to make chai at home.
What is a chai latte?
A chai latte is a drink popularized in coffee shops. It is modeled on a coffee latte: a shot of flavor with a large amount of steamed, frothy milk. Instead of espresso, the base is typically chai concentrate, which is a sweetened, spiced tea syrup, or a powder mix, mixed with hot or steamed milk. Some cafés use brewed spiced tea instead.
Key features:
- Prepared quickly with concentrate or syrup.
- Heavily milk-based and creamy.
- Usually sweeter, since concentrates often contain sugar or sweeteners.
- Often topped with foam and sometimes cinnamon.
- The tea flavor is lighter and the sweetness more prominent.
Masala chai vs chai latte: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Masala chai | Chai latte |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | South Asia, traditional home and street preparation | Western café adaptation |
| Method | Simmered on the stove | Mixed with concentrate or syrup; milk steamed or frothed |
| Tea base | Strong black tea simmered in the pot | Concentrate, powder, or brewed tea |
| Spices | Whole or fresh spices simmered | Spice flavor from concentrate or syrup |
| Milk | Simmered in with the tea | Steamed or frothed on top |
| Sweetness | Adjustable, usually moderate | Often high, from added syrup or sweetened concentrate |
| Texture | Rich, slightly thinner | Creamy, frothy |
| Flavor | Bold, spicy, tea-forward | Sweet, mellow, milk-forward |
| Caffeine | Present (black tea) | Present, but amount varies |
Caffeine in chai and chai lattes
Both drinks usually use black tea, which contains caffeine, although less than the same volume of brewed coffee. The amount in any particular cup depends on how much tea was used, how long it was brewed, and the serving size. Concentrates vary by brand. If you are watching your intake, check the label or ask the café. Our guide to caffeine in tea vs coffee explains typical ranges and why they vary.
A caffeine-free version is possible. Some makers use rooibos, a herbal infusion, instead of black tea. See our list of caffeine-free teas.
Sugar and calories
Because concentrates and syrups often include sugar, a café chai latte can be a sweet drink. If you prefer to control sugar, brew chai at home and sweeten it yourself, or ask a café for fewer pumps of syrup. Nutrition varies widely between brands, so check the label if sugar matters to you.
Which tastes better?
That depends on what you like.
- Choose masala chai if you like bold, spicy tea, and you enjoy a stronger tea flavor. It is also good for people who want to control sweetness and ingredients.
- Choose a chai latte if you like a milky, mellow, sweeter drink with a foamy texture, especially if you enjoy lattes.
Many drinkers enjoy both, depending on the occasion.
How to make a chai latte at home
- Make a strong, spiced tea base. Use the method in how to make chai at home, but use about half the milk.
- Strain the tea.
- Warm about 1 cup of milk and froth it with a milk frother or whisk.
- Combine about ½ cup of the strong chai with 1 cup of frothed milk.
- Sweeten to taste and add a dusting of cinnamon.
For a quicker version, use a store-bought concentrate and follow the label’s dilution instructions.
How to make masala chai without milk
You can make a dairy-free chai with oat, almond or soy milk, or serve the spiced tea without milk. Oat milk is a popular choice because it is creamy and heats well.
Common misconceptions
- “Chai is just spiced tea.” Traditionally, masala chai includes milk and sweetener, not only spice.
- “A chai latte is authentic chai.” It is an adaptation, and a delicious one, but not the same preparation.
- “All chai is the same.” Recipes vary by household and region.
Buying tips
If you buy chai blends, read the ingredients. Quality blends list tea and whole spices. Concentrates may list sugar first. For black tea options that make a good chai base, see Assam vs Darjeeling tea.
How to order chai at a café
Menus use “chai,” “chai tea,” “chai latte” and “dirty chai” in different ways, so a few questions help you get the drink you want. Ask whether the chai is made from a concentrate, a powder or brewed tea, and whether the concentrate is sweetened. Ask for fewer pumps or less syrup if you want it less sweet. Choose your milk; oat and whole milk give creamy results. If you want more caffeine, a “dirty chai” adds a shot of espresso, and if you want less caffeine, ask whether a decaf or rooibos version is available.
Reading a chai concentrate label
If you buy concentrate for home use, check the label for the first few ingredients. Some list sugar or syrup first, and others list tea and spices first. Look at the serving size, the sugar per serving and the instructions for dilution, since some concentrates are meant to be mixed one to one with milk and others need more. Compare concentrates by price per serving, not only by bottle size.
A middle path: make your own concentrate
If you like the convenience of a latte, make your own concentrate. Simmer 4 cups of water with a handful of crushed whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and fresh ginger) for 10 minutes, add 6 to 8 black tea bags or about 4 tablespoons of loose tea for the last 5 minutes, strain and sweeten lightly. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. To serve, mix equal parts concentrate and warm or frothed milk. You control the sugar, spice and strength, and it takes the same time as a single batch of tea. The simmered base follows the method in how to make chai at home.
Final takeaway
Masala chai is a simmered, spicy milk tea. A chai latte is a sweeter, creamier café drink. Both are enjoyable, and now you can recognize the difference on any menu. To explore more black teas and spiced drinks, browse the Chai & Black Tea hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chai latte the same as masala chai?
No. A chai latte is a Western café drink that usually combines a pre-made spiced chai concentrate or syrup with steamed milk. Masala chai is a traditional preparation where tea, milk, water and spices are simmered together.
Why do people say 'chai tea'?
In many languages, 'chai' means tea, so 'chai tea' technically means 'tea tea.' In the United States, the phrase caught on as a way to describe spiced milk tea, so it is widely understood even though it is redundant.
Which has more caffeine, chai or a chai latte?
It depends on the recipe. Both are usually made with black tea, which has less caffeine than coffee. A café chai latte made from a concentrate may contain less tea per serving than a strong home-simmered masala chai.
Is a chai latte healthier than masala chai?
Not necessarily. Many café chai lattes contain a lot of added sugar from the concentrate or syrup. A homemade masala chai lets you control the sweetener and milk. Check the nutrition information for any store-bought version.
Can I make a chai latte at home?
Yes. Make a strong spiced tea, or use a concentrate, then top it with warmed or frothed milk. Our how-to-make-chai guide gives a simple base you can froth.
Want the bigger picture? Read our complete guide to tea or explore more in Chai & Black Tea.
