Chai, or cha, simply means tea. It often refers to a particular type of chai made by brewing milk, tea, medicinal and aromatic spices and roots. Chai dates back thousands of years and recipes vary greatly, both regionally and home to home.
In the mid 90’s, the chai-inspired “chai latte” or “chai tea” (literally “tea tea”) gained popularity. Although these beverages have their own appeal, they are generally made from syrups and offer a different experience than a traditionally hand-brewed chai.