loose leaf chai teas

Masala Chai

The classic Indian spiced tea — cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and clove on a bold Assam black tea base. Adagio's Masala Chai is blended specifically for the whole-leaf format: the spice proportions are calibrated to the slower, gentler extraction of a properly brewed loose leaf steep rather than the rapid extraction of a teabag or the instant character of a concentrate. Brew it strong, add steamed milk, and the result is a masala chai latte that rivals anything you'd find in a good café — at a fraction of the cost.

Thai Chai

An interpretation of the classic Thai iced tea tradition in loose leaf form. Thai Chai uses a spiced black tea base with a flavour profile that leans toward the sweet, vanilla-forward, and aromatic rather than the bold spice intensity of masala. Cold brewed and served over ice with a pour of condensed or coconut milk, it's one of the most visually striking iced teas in the range — the effect of milk swirling through the dark orange chai concentrate is the reason Thai iced tea has been photographed on restaurant tables for decades.

Rooibos Vanilla Chai

All the masala chai spice character — with a soft vanilla note — on a naturally caffeine-free rooibos base. Rooibos Vanilla Chai is the answer to the question "what do I drink when I want chai but not caffeine?" — and the answer is genuinely satisfying rather than a compromise. The rooibos base adds its own natural sweetness and earthy warmth that complements the chai spices rather than competing with them. A natural choice for evenings, for caffeine-sensitive drinkers, and for anyone who wants a chai latte after dinner without the consequence.

Spiced Apple Chai

Warming chai spices with the sweet, fruity character of autumn apple — cinnamon and cardamom forward, with the apple note adding a natural sweetness that makes this the most approachable chai in the collection for anyone who finds masala chai's pepper and ginger intensity a little much. The spice blend is fully present but rounded by the fruit, producing a cup that is immediately accessible and deeply comforting. Works as well cold brewed over ice as it does hot.

Honeybush Pumpkin Chai

Warming pumpkin and chai spices on a naturally caffeine-free honeybush base — the seasonal chai for anyone who wants the autumnal spice character without caffeine. Honeybush's natural honey-like sweetness complements the pumpkin and spice profile particularly well, producing a richer, more dessert-like cup than a rooibos base achieves. A natural evening chai and an ideal milk-tea candidate — brewed double-strength with steamed oat milk, it becomes one of the most comforting caffeine-free lattes in the range.

Chai Tea Caffeine Content

Standard loose leaf chai teas — Masala Chai and Thai Chai — are built on a black tea base and contain approximately 40–70mg of caffeine per 250ml cup, comparable to a moderate cup of coffee. The exact amount depends on the strength of the brew, the proportion of tea to spice in the blend, and the steeping time.

For caffeine-free chai options, Rooibos Vanilla Chai and Honeybush Pumpkin Chai both deliver full spice character on naturally caffeine-free bases. For anyone who wants chai flavour in the evening or for anyone who avoids caffeine for any reason, either is a genuinely satisfying choice.

Chai Tea as a Gift

Loose leaf chai makes an exceptional gift — specific, indulgent, and immediately usable by anyone who owns a mug and a kettle. A chai sampler covering the range of Adagio's spiced blends lets the recipient discover which style suits them best without committing to a large pouch of each. Pair with a travel infuser or the ingenuiTEA infuser for a complete chai gift that includes everything needed to brew the very first cup at home.