Top 10 Best Chai Tea Bags in 2021 (Stash, Yogi, and More)

Chai, also known as "masala chai," is a traditional Indian drink that is often crafted from a combination of black tea and warming spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and black peppercorn. It can be enjoyed as-is or with milk and sweetener for some extra decadence. 

Besides its taste, another reason why so many people are head over heels for chai tea is its health benefits. All of the chai spices are chock-full with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!

Particularly, ginger and cardamon are renown to reduce inflammation and support your digestive health. Other indispensable ingredients of chai, cinnamon and cloves, can balance your blood sugar levels and strengthen your immunse system.

The list of health benefits that come with drinking chai is pretty extensive. Plus, it's delicious! So why don't you give it a try? 

Let's move on to the top 10 best chai tea bags available online. We've tracked down ten products that are well-loved by consumers. They come in different flavors and are all delicious in their own way. So take a look at the list and see which flavor sounds the best to you! 

If you're new to chai, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the options at hand. But don't worry! In this buying guide, we've compiled various tips that will help you with the decision making process. 

Nothing can beat the convenience of tea bags. Unlike loose leaf tea that might require equipment or a long wait time, nothing fancy is needed for tea bags! Plus, you don't have to measure out your tea or deal with washing a tea infuser. All you need is a cup, some water, and a few minutes of your time, and you're good to go. 

Nonetheless, not all tea bags are created equally. The majority of tea bags are safe for you, but there are some crafted from plastic that might release microplastics into your tea. 

On the other hand, the paper used to make your tea bags might be bleached in order to get a clean off-white color. This bleaching process usually involves harmful chemicals, such as dioxin, which have been associated with infertility and hormonal issues.

Tea bags might also be treated with epichlorohydrin, a plastic compound that helps prevent the bags from breaking. However, epichlorohydrin can dissolve in your tea and lead to stomach problems. So to give yourself peace of mind, go for tea bags made from natural fibers such as cornsilk and hemp! 

Also, some tea bags consist of only the dust and fannings from broken tea leaves, so the natural oils and flavors might be lost. Try high-quality tea bags that contain whole leaves for a more pleasant flavor! 

When it comes to chai, there're a plethora of flavors for you to choose from. So choose one that will delight your taste buds! 

If you're a fan of bold flavor and enjoy the pure taste of spices, go for a black tea infused with a classic Indian blend of cardamom, clove, ginger, peppercorn, and cinnamon! It will truly show you the authentic taste of chai.

Some traditional recipes might include spices such as star anise, fennel, and nutmeg as well. Just know that different spices will bring a slightly different flavor to the tea. 

Moreover, the base tea for chai is usually strong black tea. But for those who don't like the malty flavor of black tea, there are also chais that are made with green tea instead! Green tea is slightly bitter and will bring an astringent twist to the classic chai. 

If you're new to chai, a conventional blend might be too overpowering or even too spicy for you. In this case, you might want to start with a blended chai. For those who are into a sweet, decadent flavor, a chai with a touch of vanilla or caramel might do the trick.

There're seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice as well. Keep in mind that with more added flavors you won't taste as much of the classic spicy tang associated with chai. Instead, you may get a sweeter or more fragrant note.

Turmeric is another fantastic addition to the traditional chai, as its bitterness will make the flavor even more sophisticated. Besides, turmeric is jam-packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties!

You might want to be a bit careful with blended teas as well, since they're often crafted with artificial flavors and fragrance to mask the taste of low-quality tea leaves. So to be on the safe side, choose products with no artificial additives.

Drinking tea is often said to support your health. However, if the tea leaves are treated with pesticides, like insecticides and neonicotinoids, the residues of those chemicals can wind up in your cup of tea! 

Therefore, you might want to choose products that are certified organic by reputable organizations like the USDA to ensure that they're grown without the involvement of pesticides, fertilizers, and other synthetic ingredients. 

On top of that, certified organic products have to meet the stringent standards of accredited organizations and contain no harmful chemicals or preservatives. 

Various tea farms are actually associated with labor abuse and poor working conditions. So to endorse the rights of workers and improve their working conditions, many brands are investing in fair-trade practices to eliminate abusive child labor and make sure that the farmers are paid a fair salary. 

So by purchasing products that are certified fair-trade, you're supporting a great cause that will improve the lives of many workers and farmers! 

When shopping for chai tea bags, you'll see many brands that are committed to eco-friendly practices as well. For example, some manufacturers produce pillow tea bags without strings and staples to help reduce unnecessary waste.

For those who are environmentally-conscious, you might want to look at the product's description to see how the tea brand is working towards supporting the environment. 

If you have the ingredients on hand, you can make your own chai tea bags! Just combine all the spices, including cardamom pods, black peppercorns, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks, together and grind them in a mortar or food processor. 

The amounts of each varies depending on your tastes, but if you're looking for something to start with, try Curious Cuisiniere's recipe. Then toast the spices over medium heat until they become fragrant (approximately 5 minutes). Afterward, mix together the toasted spices, dried ginger, and loose leaf black tea. 

And lastly, put a decent amount of mixture into a fillable tea bag, and voila, you're done! Also, you can always add other spices (allspice and star anise to name a few) or adjust the ratios according to your taste.

There are a ton of tea accessories and blends available. But to save you time researching, we've compiled a few guidelines on the must-haves for serious tea drinkers. So check them out!  

Chai tea bags are a convenient way to make a tasty cup of tea. Chai is loaded with antioxidants and can provide you with a ton of health benefits, including boosting your immune system and aiding your digestive health. Plus, it has a unique and delicious flavor!

For those who love a full-bodied flavor, a classic blend is the way to go. But if you want to explore different tastes, then choose a blended tea instead. Hopefully, after reading our buying guide, you're ready to make your decision. 

Author: Thuy Nguyen

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