The Best Chai Tea Bags You Can Find at the Grocery Store

The best chai is robust, a little sweet, and, in reality, purchased from an Indian restaurant or grocery store. But if you don’t live near an Indian restaurant or grocery store, these four boxes of chai tea bags will do the trick!

In Hindi, chai literally means “tea.” That’s why you don’t need to say “chai tea.” If you’re not speaking Hindi, you probably hear the word “chai” and think of a hot tea flavored with warm spices like ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. We tried a whole slew of different chai tea bags and these are the best chais we think you should be buying. (Side note: Once you do purchase the best chai tea bags, I recommend using Meeta Arora of Piping Hot Curry’s tips for perfecting your at-home chai experience.)

Best Vanilla Runner-Up

Tazo Vanilla Caramel Chai

This could be the best chai for someone who doesn’t love chai. It’s super sweet and the typically bold notes of cinnamon and clove are mild. I would sip on a cup of this for dessert after chowing down on a big Indian takeout meal of garlic naan, shahi paneer, baingan bharta, and dal makhani. Okay, now I’m hungry. Time to get some Indian takeout. (Or at least some Trader Joe’s butter chicken.)

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Organic

Tazo Organic Chai

I’m generally not a Tazo fan, but I have to admit their chais are good! I do have to set aside the fact that consuming anything from Tazo makes me feel like I’m at a Starbucks in 2007, but I will because this chai is delicious. Plus, you can find Tazo almost everywhere. It’s one of the most prominent tea brands you’ll find when you stroll the tea aisle at Target. If you’re looking to get into chai but are not sure where to start, these are the best chai tea bags to grab on your next grocery run.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Budget

Benner Chai Black Tea

If you like your chai sans vanilla or caramel, Brenner’s Chai Black Tea is the best chai tea bag for your mug. Aldi is bringing full flavor to the table with this product. It has plenty of spice and not much sweetness, making it perfect for anyone who doesn’t like a sugary tea. The blend of black tea, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, clove, and star anise come together to make a really tasty chai. And since it’s from Aldi, it’s super affordable.

Credit: Liv Averett / Aldi Reviewer

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Black Tea

I know vanilla chai is controversial, but this is simply the best chai we tasted that is available at grocery stores nationwide. The vanilla is perfectly balanced with the other flavors. It’s not too overpowering, like some of the other vanilla chais we tried. I’m not a chai expert, but I do know that this tasted very, very delicious. It’s nice because you don’t need to add anything to this tea whatsoever. It’s flavorful and has the perfect level of sweetness.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried:
O Organics, Full Circle, Twinings, Stash

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About the Author

Jordan Myrick

Jordan is an L.A.-based writer and comedian who believes all food should come with extra sauce. When they're not writing for Sporked, Jordan is at the movies or sharing an order of french fries with their elderly chihuahua.

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  • I’m also curious for you to taste test all the chai latte concentrates!

    Reply