Loose leaf chai tea blend with dark tea leaves, cardamom pods, and spice pieces scattered on white background, by Yerba Buena Tea Company.
Brewed chai tea in glass mug with cinnamon sticks and star anise beside black canister, by Yerba Buena Tea Company.
Chai loose leaf black tea in a black metal canister with gold label band, by Yerba Buena Tea Company.

Organic Black Tea | Bold & Spiced | High Caffeine

Organic Masala Chai Black Tea

Assam black tea blended with whole ginger root, cardamom pods, cinnamon bark, cloves, and star anise. The Chai made for milk, honey, and a 10-minute simmer.

Ingredients: Organic Black Tea, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Cardamom, Organic Cinnamon Bark, Organic Nutmeg, Organic Cloves, Organic Star Anise.

$21.00 USD
$21.00 USD
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Size: Tea Tin
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About Chai

The Chai made for milk, honey, and a slow simmer.

Organic Assam black tea from Northeast India, blended with whole ginger root, cardamom pods, cinnamon bark, cloves, nutmeg, and star anise. The spices are whole, not ground, which means the essential oils stay intact until the simmer releases them. The result is a golden, creamy cup with real ginger heat, cinnamon sweetness, and the malt-forward body of Assam. No concentrate. No sugar. You control the sweetness.

Why the stovetop matters.

Masala Chai is a decoction, not an infusion. The traditional method simmers the tea and spices in milk and water together, which extracts the fat-soluble compounds in the spices that hot water alone leaves behind. The milk fat carries the cardamom and cinnamon oils. The slow heat softens the ginger bite. The honey integrates as it dissolves. A 10-minute stovetop simmer produces a different drink than a 5-minute steep, richer and rounder.

The quick version still works.

Short on time, steep 1.5 teaspoons in 8 ounces of boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain. Add honey or maple syrup. Top with steamed oat milk or whole milk. It won't have the full depth of the simmered version, but it still delivers the ginger-forward warmth and the spice complexity. A 7-minute Chai latte that tastes closer to the real thing than any café syrup.

Organic Ingredients
  • Organic Black Tea
  • Organic Ginger Root
  • Organic Cardamom
  • Organic Cinnamon Bark
  • Organic Nutmeg
  • Organic Cloves
  • Organic Star Anise
Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm cinnamon and cardamom, with a sharp ginger edge. The cloves and star anise sit underneath, adding depth without dominating.

Flavor: Ginger heat leads. The cinnamon sweetness follows. The Assam base holds the cup together with a malty, full-bodied richness that stands up to milk.

Finish: Lingering warmth. The cloves and star anise leave a tingling, spiced note on the tongue.

Why You'll Love It

Masala Chai, the street-stall tradition: The drink traces to the chai wallahs of India, the street vendors who simmer tea, milk, sugar, and spices together in large pots and serve the cups steaming hot. The ritual is social: the cup is offered as hospitality, the making of it is loud and theatrical, the drinking of it slows people down. The same tradition holds in homes across India, where the afternoon chai break is as fixed as the clock.

The warming spices, the Ayurvedic logic: Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves are all classified as "warming" in Ayurvedic herbalism, meaning they stimulate circulation and metabolism. The tradition calls this stoking the "Agni", the digestive fire. Modern herbalism recognizes ginger and cinnamon as carminatives, herbs that ease gas and settle the stomach. The spice blend was never just about flavor; it was functional.

Why whole spices: Ground spices lose their volatile oils within weeks. Whole spices keep those oils locked in until the heat releases them. The cardamom pods crack open. The cinnamon bark softens. The ginger root releases its oleoresin. The result is a cup with depth and complexity that a powder or syrup cannot replicate.

Chai loose leaf black tea in a black metal canister with gold label band, by Yerba Buena Tea Company.

Chai

$21.00 USD
$21.00 USD

Simmer slow. Sip golden.

Brewed chai tea in glass mug with cinnamon sticks and star anise beside black canister, by Yerba Buena Tea Company.

Heritage Brew Guide

8oz
212°F
1.5tsp
5min
1 Cup
Imperial Metric

Craft Your Cup

  • The Stovetop Latte: Simmer 2 tsp of tea in 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup milk for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. This creates a rich, creamy texture you can't get from a kettle.
  • Dirty Chai: Brew a strong shot of this tea and add it to your morning coffee for a spicy, caffeinated kick.
  • The Quick Latte: Steep 2 tsp in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove infuser, stir in sweetener, and top with steamed oat milk. Ready in under 7 minutes.

Loose leaf chai tea blend with dark tea leaves, cardamom pods, and spice pieces scattered on white background, by Yerba Buena Tea Company.

Your Questions About Chai, Answered.

Is this Chai spicy?

Yes, with a real ginger bite. The heat is traditional and noticeable, balanced by the sweetness of cinnamon and the creaminess of cardamom. It reads as bold and warming, not overwhelming. If you prefer a milder cup, use less leaf or steep for 3 to 4 minutes instead of 5.

Do I need to add sweetener?

The blend is unsweetened, which means you control the sweetness level. Most people add honey, maple syrup, or cane sugar to taste. The sweetness rounds the ginger heat and brings out the cinnamon. Start with 1 teaspoon per cup and adjust from there.

Can I make this without a stovetop?

Yes. Steep 1.5 teaspoons in 8 ounces of boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain. Add your sweetener, then top with steamed or frothed milk. The flavor will be lighter than the simmered version, since water alone does not extract the fat-soluble spice oils the way milk does, but it still delivers the warmth and spice complexity.

FAQs Simply Answered

Are your teas organic?

The Short Answer: Yes. Every single leaf, root, and flower we source is Certified USDA Organic.

The Details: We believe that flavor starts in the soil. We strictly partner with growers who practice sustainable, organic farming, organic approved pesticides, no GMOs, and no "natural flavorings" sprayed on the leaves. While our Salem facility is a dedicated small-batch kitchen (and not yet a certified processing plant), our commitment to 100% organic ingredients is absolute. You are drinking pure nature, nothing else.

What are the "Refill Bags"?

We designed our system to be sustainable.

Our Signature Tin, protects the tea and contains all the detailed brewing and ingredient information.

The Refill: When you run low, you buy a Refill Bag.

Please Note: These biodegradable bags are designed as "Transport Vessels" only. They are not intended for individual sale. Upon arrival, please use the refill bag with into your YBTCO Tin. This ensures your tea stays fresh and you have the correct brewing instructions at hand.

Where is this made?

Handcrafted in Oregon.

Every batch of Yerba Buena tea is blended, tested, and packed in our dedicated tea kitchen in Salem, Oregon. We do not use co-packers or giant industrial machines. We blend in small lots to ensure that the oils are still volatile and the spices are still punchy when they reach your cup. It is a difference you can taste.

Is it safe for allergies (Gluten/Nuts)?

We keep it clean. All YBTCO teas are naturally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegan. Our facility does not process wheat, soy, peanuts, or dairy.

The Coconut Note: The only allergen present in our facility is Coconut (Tree Nut), which is used in specific blends like Maven Blend and Turmeric Spice. We adhere to strict cleaning protocols to prevent cross-contamination, but if you have a severe tree nut allergy, please shop with caution.

When will my order ship?

We know you are ready to brew. Because we hand-pack orders, they typically leave our Oregon kitchen within 2-3 business days.

  • Free Shipping: We cover the shipping on all US orders over $70.
  • The Carriers: We ship via USPS and UPS. You’ll get a tracking number the second your label is printed so you can follow the tea to your doorstep.

Refer to our Shipping Policy for complete information.