What is Masala Chai? A Guide to Birmingham's Best Chai Experience

Walk into most coffee shops in Birmingham and ask for a chai latte, and you'll get a mug of steamed milk with a pump of sugary syrup from a bottle. It's sweet, it's warm, and it's got about as much to do with real chai as instant noodles have to do with proper ramen.

At Chai and Crumbs, we do things differently. Our masala chai is made the way it's meant to be made — brewed slowly with whole spices, proper tea leaves, and fresh milk. No syrups. No shortcuts. It's the recipe we grew up with, and it's the reason half our regulars walk through the door.

So What Actually Is Masala Chai?

"Masala" means spice blend. "Chai" means tea. So "masala chai" is literally spiced tea — a drink that's been made across South Asia for centuries. Every family's got their own version, and everyone thinks their mum's is the best. (Ours is, but let's not argue about it.)

The base is always strong black tea — we use Assam for its malty depth — simmered with a mix of whole spices and finished with milk. The result is rich, warming, aromatic, and miles away from anything you'd get from a packet.

What Spices Go Into Masala Chai?

Our family recipe uses:

• Cardamom — the backbone. We crack green cardamom pods fresh every morning. It gives chai that unmistakable fragrant sweetness.
• Cinnamon — whole sticks, not powder. Adds warmth without overpowering everything else.
• Ginger — fresh root, sliced thin. This is what gives chai its gentle kick, especially good in winter.
• Clove — just a couple. Clove's strong so you don't need much, but it rounds out the flavour beautifully.
• Black pepper — a few cracked peppercorns. Sounds odd if you haven't tried it, but it adds a subtle depth that ties everything together.

We don't use star anise, fennel, or any of the other bits some places throw in to make it look exotic. Our recipe's deliberately simple — five spices, done right.

How We Brew It

Here's the short version: we simmer the spices in water, add loose-leaf Assam tea, let it brew until it's strong and dark, then pour in whole milk and bring the lot back up to heat. The whole process takes about eight minutes per batch.

We don't microwave it. We don't use tea bags. We don't add flavouring after the fact. The spices cook into the tea — that's why it tastes completely different from a chai latte made with syrup.

Masala Chai vs Karak Chai vs Chai Latte — What's the Difference?

• Masala Chai — spiced tea brewed with whole spices, strong black tea, and milk. This is the South Asian original. £3.80 at Chai and Crumbs.
• Karak Chai — the Emirati/Gulf version. Similar idea but typically uses evaporated milk, saffron, and cardamom as the main spice. Stronger, creamier, sweeter. We serve this too — £3.80.
• Chai Latte — the Western coffee-shop version. Usually espresso or concentrate with steamed milk and chai-flavoured syrup. Fine if that's what you want, but it's a different drink entirely.
• Pink Chai (Kashmiri Chai) — a special one. Made with green tea, bicarbonate of soda, milk, and pistachios. It turns pink naturally during the brewing process. Creamy, nutty, visually stunning. We make it fresh — £4.20.

Where to Get the Best Chai in Birmingham

We're obviously biased, but here's what we'd say: if you want real chai — brewed with whole spices, made by people who grew up drinking the stuff — come to Chai and Crumbs at Waterfront Walk, Brindleyplace.

We serve masala chai, karak chai, pink chai, and iced chai. Prices start at £3.80. You can check the full drinks menu here or order for collection.

Our Family's Chai Story

Chai isn't just a menu item for us — it's literally in our name. Growing up, chai was the first thing made in the morning and the last thing poured at night. It's what you made for guests, what you drank during exams, what your nan would press into your hands when you looked a bit tired.

When we opened Chai and Crumbs in 2019, the chai recipe was the first thing we locked down. Everything else could change, but the chai had to be right. Seven years later, we still brew it the same way. And we still get people telling us it reminds them of home.

That's the whole point, really. Read more about us here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does masala chai contain caffeine?

Yes. It's made with black tea (Assam), so it contains caffeine — roughly the same as a regular cup of tea. Less than coffee, more than herbal tea.

Is your chai vegan-friendly?

Our standard chai's made with whole milk, but we can make it with oat milk on request for an extra 50p. Just ask at the counter.

What's the difference between chai and chai latte?

Real chai is brewed with whole spices and tea leaves. A chai latte is typically steamed milk with chai-flavoured syrup. Very different drinks — we serve the real thing.

How much is masala chai at Chai and Crumbs?

£3.80 for a regular. Karak chai's also £3.80. Pink chai (Kashmiri) is £4.20.

Can I buy your chai blend to make at home?

Not yet — but it's something we're working on. Follow us on Instagram for updates.