Top 10 Best Chai Tea Bags in 2021 (Tea Sommelier-Reviewed)

Daniela is a certified tea sommelier and blogger at teacachai.com with a business and fashion background. Besides drinking tea, she enjoys creating tea-infused recipes, cocktails/mocktails, teaching workshops and sharing all about tea.

When it came to the topic of Masala chai tea bags, we wanted to ask a pro, so we asked Daniela for some tips on how to choose the best one.

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 love chai blends is their health benefits. Many of the chai spices are full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Particularly, ginger and cardamon are renowned for reducing inflammation and supporting your digestive health. Other indispensable ingredients of many chai blends, cinnamon and cloves, can balance your blood sugar levels and strengthen your immune 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 our top 10 list of Masala chai tea bags. We've tracked down 10 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! 

*Please note that these products were chosen by our writers after extensive research. They are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Daniela Titiun.

If you're new to Masala 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. 

Tea bags are arguably more convenient and portable than loose leaf tea. There's no need to portion out leaves, and you don't need any special equipment like strainers. 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 still some crafted from plastic that might release microplastics into your tea. 

Besides that, the paper used to make some tea bags might be bleached in order to get a clean off-white color. This bleaching process usually involves potentially harmful chemicals, such as dioxin, which have been associated with infertility and hormonal issues at large doses.

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 in some. So to give yourself peace of mind, go for tea bags made from natural fibers such as cornsilk and hemp! 

When it comes to Masala chai, there's a plethora of flavors and blends 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 allow you an authentic taste of Masala 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 Masala chai is usually strong black tea. But for those who don't like the malty flavor of black tea, there are also chai blends available that are made with green tea or oolong tea, or even herbal bases like rooibos instead! 

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

There are seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice as well. Keep in mind that with more added flavors, you might not taste as much of the classic spicy tang associated with Masala 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.

Many tea farms are associated with labor violations and poor working conditions. So to endorse the rights of workers and improve their working conditions, many brands are investing more in fair-trade practices to eliminate abusive 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 Masala 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 vary 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 for approximately five minutes, or until they become fragrant. Then 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 couple - 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.

Chai tea bags are a convenient way to make a tasty cup of tea. Masala 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 explore different chai blends. Hopefully, after reading our buying guide, you're ready to make your decision. 

Author: Thuy Nguyen

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