Iced chai tea, which originated in India, has become a favorite among the coffee lover community. This mixture of black tea and milk has made a name for itself as the perfect fall drink. Coffee shops all around sell their own rendition of the sweet drink, but who does it best?
Starbucks is well known for their chai. It becomes very popular once the fall rolls around. Starbucks’ chai is on the milkier side, being lighter than many other chais. Additionally, Starbucks has special additions for its chai. They serve fall and winter flavors of cold foam, including vanilla, pumpkin, sugar cookie, carmel, cinnamon, and even peppermint chocolate. This diverse group of additional toppings makes Starbucks stand out compared to the other teas listed. Although these extra toppings are a few dollars extra, their prices are reasonable. You can purchase a tall $4.75, a grande $5.25, and a venti for $5.45. Compared to other places, This is a very reasonable price range.
Dunkin Donuts is a well known classic. While Dunkin is not known for their chai, they still have a very basic but reliable iced chai tea latte. It is on the thinner side but consistently tastes the same. Dunkin does have a vanilla cold foam, but they lack in the area of pumpkin cold foam. The pumpkin cold foam has been a huge selling point for other chain coffee shops such as Starbucks, so without this Dunkin Donuts does lack. However, compared to Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts prices are considerably lower than most other cafes. Their small iced chai latte prices at $4.49, their medium is $5.09, and their large is $5.59. For this price you are also getting a considerable amount of product. While Dunkin Donuts may not be a small business coffee shop, their iced chais are always reliable.
Next up, is Koupa’s iced chai tea. Koupa takes a unique spin on their chai. It is thinner than usual, with a sweeter taste. They utilize more of the cinnamon flavor to emphasize the chai. They also allow you to spice it up by adding cold foam, which adds to the sweetness. And, there are different flavors to choose from. Their prices are reasonable compared to other local places. You can purchase a small for $4.85 and a large for $5.90. This price range allows you to also buy one of their pastries without having to get a mortgage out on just a chai and cookie. Koupa is a great place to relax and enjoy a sweet treat!
The iced chai tea from Ocean City Coffee Company is unlike any of the other teas on this list. This low fat and calorie conscious beverage is both filling and delicious! One downside is the price point. You can get a 12 oz for $5.17 and a 16 oz for $6.58. Although this may seem to be higher on the price scale, I think it is worth it. It’s thick, creamy consistency makes it stand out to me as one of the best chai teas in our area. The baristas achieve this frothy texture by using a homemade chai powder, milk, and blend it all together. Normally, these teas are made using a liquid chai, which is stirred together with milk. This small change makes a big impact on flavor and gives the drink more substance. Take a break from the summer heat and treat yourself to a refreshing chai!
Who takes the cake for the best chai in our area? Let’s break it down into four parts; price, texture, flavor, and any additions you can add to spice up your drink. As for price, shockingly enough, Starbucks wins this round. OCNJ coffee company takes last place for their astronomical prices. You would think that a large corporation would have the most expensive and the local small businesses would have lower prices. In this case, it is the total opposite. Although OCNJ Coffee Company was placed last, they rise to the top of the list for the texture categories. Most chai teas are much more watery, whereas the chai at OCNJ coffee is much thicker. This makes the beverage much more filling. As for flavor, this was a tough decision. Each chai on this list has a unique spin on this sweet drink. With that being said, Koupa takes the lead for this category. Their chai is very sweet, which may not be for everyone, but for the people who love sweet drinks, Koupa is perfect for you. Their tea takes on the cinnamon elements, rather than OCNJ coffee which takes on more of the vanilla flavor. A chai is not complete without a fun topping. Although Dunkin Donuts does have vanilla cold foam, their options are limited. This is why Starbucks takes the lead once more! They have options for toppings, sauces, and drizzles to spice up your drink. This is especially prevalent during the holiday season. A person’s chai tea order is a very personal thing. One person’s order may not be the same for someone else. In short, although Starbucks takes the lead for the best chai in our area, that does not mean the other places are bad or not worth checking out. It just all depends on what you like!
