Part 1: The Best Loose Leaf Chai (For Authenticity)
If you want the real experience—boiling the tea in a pan with milk (the traditional method)—you need loose leaf. These three blends use high-quality spices and strong Assam tea that won't get lost in the milk.
1. Vahdam India's Original Masala Chai
If you want freshness, Vahdam is unbeatable. Sourced directly from India and vacuum-packed at the source, the spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves) are vibrant and pungent. The base is a strong CTC Assam that holds up perfectly to boiling with milk.
- Incredible freshness (vacuum sealed)
- Authentic CTC Assam base
- 100% Natural spices, no flavorings
- Pricier than supermarket blends
- Requires proper brewing (stovetop)
2. Dishoom Masala Chai
Anyone who has queued for breakfast at Dishoom knows this flavor. It's sweeter and more heavy on the black pepper and ginger than Vahdam, giving it that signature "heat" at the back of the throat. It comes in a beautiful tin, making it the perfect gift for a tea lover.
- Restaurant-quality taste
- Strong ginger/pepper kick
- Beautiful reusable tin
- Often out of stock
- More expensive per cup
3. Prana Chai (Original Blend)
This is "Wet Chai" or "Sticky Chai." The tea leaves and whole spices are coated in raw Australian honey. This preserves the moisture of the ginger and prevents the spices from drying out. The result is an incredibly smooth, sweet brew that needs no added sugar.
- Zero "dust"—whole ingredients only
- Naturally sweet (honey coated)
- Very easy to brew
- Sticky mess to spoon out
- Not vegan (contains honey)
Part 2: The Best Chai Tea Bags (For Convenience)
Sometimes you don't have time to use a saucepan. While tea bags will never equal the depth of stovetop chai, these three options get very close without the hassle.
4. Tea India Masala Chai
Created by tea masters who moved from India to the UK, this is hands down the best "daily drinker" you can buy in a supermarket. It uses a very strong CTC blend that infuses quickly and actually tastes of tea, not just cardboard. It takes milk and sugar beautifully.
- Authentic, strong flavor
- Very affordable
- Available in most UK shops
- Paper tea bags (standard quality)
- Can get bitter if over-steeped
5. Teapigs Chai Tea
Teapigs uses their signature "biodegradable temples" (pyramid bags) which allow for whole leaf tea and large chunks of spice. Unlike Tea India, this isn't a CTC dust blend—it's closer to a loose leaf quality in a bag. It's lighter and more subtle.
- Whole leaf quality
- Plastic-free packaging
- Complex flavor profile
- Expensive per cup
- Less "punchy" than CTC blends
6. Pukka Original Chai
If you want the spice without the jitters, Pukka is the winner. This is an herbal blend (no tea leaves), focusing entirely on cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Because it lacks the tannins of black tea, it's naturally sweet and impossible to over-brew.
- 100% Caffeine Free
- Organic ingredients
- Very spicy and warming
- Not a "real" tea (herbal only)
- Lacks the body of black tea
The Verdict
- For the Purist: Buy Vahdam Loose Leaf. It's the closest you will get to India without a plane ticket.
- For the Daily Drinker: Buy Tea India. It's cheap, strong, and reliable.
- For the Trendsetter: Try Prana Sticky Chai. It's a unique, honey-soaked experience.