Kolkata Chai Co Signature Masala Chai Mix

Reviewers who love this chai consistently recommend the traditional stovetop method: simmer the loose leaf blend in water first, add milk, bring it back to a simmer, then strain and sweeten to taste. The beauty of this blend is its customizability — some add extra ginger or cinnamon, others keep it straight. A few tips from fans: don't rush the simmer (patience = flavor), experiment with your tea-to-water ratio if you want it stronger, and try it with oat milk or whole milk for the creamiest results. One unexpected discovery — it makes an excellent dirty chai when combined with a shot of espresso.

For best results, Kolkata Chai Co's chai is meant to be brewed using the traditional stovetop method — simmering the tea and spices in a mix of water and milk. This draws out the full depth of the spices and gives you that rich, dark, creamy cup. A few reviewers noted there's no guide for quick or lazy brewing methods, so if you're used to just steeping in hot water, know that stovetop simmering is really where this blend shines. That said, some drinkers do steep it and add milk after, though the flavor won't be as full.

For many reviewers, that's exactly what it did. Multiple customers mention this chai becoming their morning ritual and replacing their coffee habit. One reviewer even said it 'ruined coffee' for them — meaning they found chai so satisfying they lost interest in coffee. The moderate caffeine from the Assam base gives you enough of a lift without the jitters, and the warm spices make it feel like a cozy, intentional way to start the day. If you need a stronger caffeine hit, you can always make a dirty chai by adding espresso.

It has moderate caffeine from the Assam black tea base — less than coffee but enough to give you a gentle lift. Several reviewers use it as their morning ritual tea, so it definitely provides a wake-up. If you're sensitive to caffeine, you might want to avoid it in the evening, but most people find chai's caffeine effect smoother and less intense than coffee's.

Opinions vary here. Most reviewers love the flavor intensity, but a couple note the tea strength was weaker than expected and suggest using more product per cup. If you prefer a bold, punchy chai, try increasing the amount of tea or simmering it a bit longer. Some also add extra ginger for more kick. The flip side is that the moderate strength makes it approachable for people who don't want an overwhelming brew, and it's customizable enough to dial up or down.

This blend hits hardest for people who want an authentic, high-quality chai experience at home. It's ideal for morning ritual drinkers looking for a cozy coffee alternative, anyone who wants to replace their coffee shop chai latte habit, and enthusiasts who enjoy customizing their brew with extra spices. It's also a wonderful option for entertaining guests — the aroma alone is impressive. It's less ideal for budget-conscious daily drinkers, anyone who wants quick and convenient brewing, or people who are sensitive to cardamom.

It's a great starting point for anyone curious about real masala chai. The blend is pre-mixed, so you don't need to source individual spices. Reviewers note it doesn't require added sugar to taste good, and it's a solid base for experimentation — you can add extra sweetener, try different milks, or toss in additional spices as you learn what you like. The one caveat for beginners: it really does best with stovetop brewing rather than just steeping in a mug, so be ready for a slightly more involved process than tea bags.

This comes down to personal taste. Most reviewers praise the spice balance, with 18 mentions of excellent flavor. However, a few drinkers find the cardamom a bit overpowering. If you're someone who loves cardamom, you'll likely be thrilled. If you're sensitive to it or prefer a ginger-forward chai, you might want to adjust by adding extra ginger or cinnamon when you brew. The good news is the loose leaf format makes it easy to blend in additional spices to tailor it to your palate.

The bag is rated for about 20 cups. However, a couple of reviewers mention needing to use more tea than the suggested amount to get a satisfyingly strong cup. So your actual yield may be closer to 15-18 cups if you like it robust. You can also re-brew the leaves for a lighter second cup to stretch the value a bit further.

Yes — at least one reviewer confirms you can get a second brew out of the leaves. The second cup will be lighter, but with a spice-forward blend like this, you'll still get noticeable flavor on the re-brew. It's a nice way to stretch the value, especially given the premium price point. Just expect a more delicate cup the second time around.

Absolutely — and reviewers specifically call this out as a winning combination. A dirty chai is simply chai latte plus a shot of espresso, and Kolkata Chai Co's blend apparently pairs beautifully with coffee. The warming spices complement the espresso rather than clashing with it. If you're a coffee lover who's been curious about chai, a dirty chai with this blend might be the perfect gateway.

The Signature Masala Chai has subtle rose petal notes in the blend — it's one of the flavor notes reviewers pick up on, and it adds a layer of complexity. However, Kolkata Chai Co also offers a separate Rose variant, and one reviewer found that version tasted too much like perfume or potpourri. If you're curious about rose but cautious, the Signature blend gives you just a hint without going overboard.

Assam black tea is the traditional and most popular base for masala chai — it's bold, malty, and stands up well against strong spices. That's exactly what Kolkata Chai Co uses in their blend. Assam's dark, robust character means the tea doesn't get lost behind the cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. Some chai blends use CTC (crush-tear-curl) Assam for even more intensity, but Kolkata Chai Co opts for a loose leaf approach that gives a more nuanced cup.

Regular chai is simply tea brewed with milk and sugar — a staple across South Asia. Masala chai takes it further by adding a blend of whole spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Kolkata Chai Co's mix is a masala chai, so the spices are already blended with the Assam black tea leaves. You get that warm, aromatic complexity without having to source and measure individual spices yourself.

Starbucks chai lattes are made from a concentrated syrup that contains a significant amount of sugar — a grande chai latte has around 42 grams of sugar. Kolkata Chai Co's blend is all-natural loose leaf tea and real spices with no added sugar at all. You control what goes into your cup. In terms of health, making chai at home with this blend and adding your own sweetener (or none) is going to be a much cleaner option than any chain coffee shop version.

No — chai generally has less caffeine than coffee. A cup of masala chai made with Assam black tea typically contains around 50-70mg of caffeine, compared to 95-200mg in a cup of coffee. That said, this blend is interesting because multiple reviewers say it effectively replaced their coffee habit. The combination of warming spices and the ritual of stovetop brewing seems to satisfy the craving without the jitters. Some even make a 'dirty chai' by adding a shot of espresso for the best of both worlds.

Chai has some advantages — lower caffeine, plus the spices in masala chai (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom) have been traditionally valued in Ayurvedic medicine for digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. Kolkata Chai Co's blend is 100% organic and all-natural, so you're not getting any artificial additives. Several reviewers who switched from coffee specifically mention the cozy, comforting experience without the coffee jitters. Whether it's 'healthier' depends on your body, but it's certainly a gentler daily ritual.

From a health standpoint, drinking chai daily is generally fine for most people — it's just tea and natural spices. The bigger consideration with Kolkata Chai Co's blend is cost. At around 20 cups per bag, several reviewers mention the price per cup adds up for daily drinking. Some suggest it's better as a special occasion treat or weekend ritual, while dedicated fans happily make it their daily driver. It comes down to how much you value that premium quality in your daily routine.

With a traditional stovetop method, you'll want to bring the water and chai to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 3-5 minutes before adding milk and simmering a bit longer. The key is not to rush it — letting the spices steep slowly is what gives you that full, warming flavor. Some reviewers mention experimenting with longer brew times to pull more strength from the tea, especially if you find the first cup a bit mild.

For Kolkata Chai Co's blend, the best approach is both — start by simmering the loose leaf tea in water to extract the tea and spice flavors, then add milk and continue simmering. This traditional method gives you the richest, most balanced cup. Steeping in water alone and adding milk afterward works in a pinch, but you'll miss some of that creamy depth that makes a proper masala chai special.