Karak Chai loose leaf
Karak Chai above shot
Authentic Masala Chai Loose Leaf tea infusion
Metal Caddy of Classic Karak Chai loose leaf tea

No. 126

Classic Karak Chai Loose Leaf Tea

Sale price£28.65
Price per cup: £0.34

Our classic Karak Chai loose leaf blend delivers bold Assam depth with warm aromatic spices and natural sweetness for a rich, creamy and comforting cup enjoyed any time.

Format
size:250g Pack
Quantity:

Delivery Info

Standard Delivery Schedule

UK Delivery 

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Method

Cost

Carrier

Transit time

Standard

£3.50, Free - over £40

Royal Mail

2-5 days, Tracked

DPD Tracked

£6.50 Free - over £100

DPD

1-3 days, Tracked

Next-Working-Day

£9.95

DPD

Orders placed before 2pm, Dispatched Monday - Friday, Next Working Day, Tracked

Saturday

£15.00

DPD

Orders placed before 2pm, Saturday delivery, Tracked

Orders are processed and dispatched Monday-Friday. 

*Most delivery will be made within the usual time-frame, but some areas and services may experience delays. 

*Please note estimated transit time is based on business days and does not include weekends or holidays. 

European deliveries

Currently, there are some delays with sending parcels to EU countries from the UK. This is due to the UK leaving the European Union. We will keep you updated with any notifications as they happen.

Please note that a tracking number is not provided for EU Standard deliveries. 

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Method

Cost

Carrier

Transit time

Standard

From £5.50

Royal Mail

3-7 days, up to 21*, Not Tracked (Offered for orders less than £50 only)

Economy

From £5.50

Royal Mail

3-7 days, up to 21*, Not Tracked (Offered for orders less than £50 only)

Tracked

From £15.95

UPS

3-5 days, up to 8*, Tracked

*Most deliveries will be made within the usual time-frame, but some areas and services may experience delays.

*Please note estimated transit time is based on business days and does not include weekends or holidays. 

Rest of the World

Method

Cost

Carrier

Transit time

Standard

From £4.00

Royal Mail

8-15 days, up to 30*, Not Tracked (Offered for orders less than £50 only)

USA tracked

From £15.00

UPS

2-3 days, up to 7*, Tracked

ROW Tracked

From £18.95

UPS

1-5 days, up to 5*, Tracked

*Most delivery will be made within the usual time-frame, but some areas and services may experience delays.

*Please note estimated transit time is based on business days and does not include weekends or holidays.  

All International Buyers (Including EU)

Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be before buying.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our customer care team on our Contact Us page. 

Assam Black Tea with Aromatic Spices 

Karak Chai is an authentic interpretation of traditional Karak, blending full bodied Assam black tea with a vibrant selection of classic chai spices. Created for those who love rich, creamy spiced tea, this blend delivers bold Assam depth, warm cinnamon sweetness, aromatic cardamom and comforting clove with a gentle peppery lift. 

Designed for brewing with milk and sugar, Karak Chai produces a satisfyingly indulgent cup with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Whether enjoyed as a morning pick me up or an evening comfort drink, this loose-leaf chai tea offers a more genuine and flavoursome alternative to a chai tea latte. 

Tasting Notes 

Appearance: Deep, dark brown infusion. 
Aroma: Warming spice with cinnamon, cardamom and gentle sweetness. 
Flavour: Bold Assam richness with aromatic spice layers, natural sweetness and a smooth, malty profile. 
Finish: Comforting, rounded and non-astringent with lingering spice warmth.
With Milk: Creamy, indulgent and full bodied. 
Black: Strong, aromatic and spiced, best suited to those who prefer robust unsweetened chai. 

Ingredients 

Indian Black Tea, Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Black Pepper, Bay Leaf 

How to Brew 

You can discover our in depth brewing guide to learn how to brew the perfect cup of chai tea. Use these quick steps to brew the perfect cup: 

  • 1.5 to 2 teaspoons (3 to 4g) per 200ml 
  • Use equal parts water and milk 
  • Heat to boiling on the hob (100°C) 
  • Add tea leaves and simmer 3 to 5 minutes 
  • Sweeten to taste with sugar 
  • Strain and serve 
  • For a richer cup, replace some or all of the milk with evaporated milk or condensed milk. 

For a teapot, use 8 to 10 g of loose tea with 250ml of water and 250ml of milk, simmer the mixture on the hob for about 10 minutes until rich and fragrant, then sweeten with molasses or Demerara sugar to add depth of flavour. 

Why Choose This Tea 

  • Authentic Karak Chai crafted with robust Assam tea
  • Premium whole spices for superior depth and aroma
  • Perfect for creamy traditional Karak brewed with milk
  • Naturally sweet, warming and indulgent flavour
  • A bold alternative to chai tea lattes
  • Ideal for daily comfort drinking or sharing with guests
  • High quality loose leaf chai tea blended for strength and richness 

Production & Leaf Grades 

Our Classic Karak Chai is crafted from full bodied Assam black tea blended with premium whole spices. The balance of robust leaf and aromatic spice ensures depth without overpowering sharpness, enabling the brew to withstand simmering in milk and sugar while retaining clarity and flavour definition. 

Each ingredient is selected for quality and freshness, resulting in a loose leaf chai tea that is both fragrant and richly textured. 

Wellbeing & Potential Benefits 

As a spiced black tea, Karak Chai provides a balanced caffeine lift through the strength of Assam tea while offering the natural aromatic benefits of ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. Many drinkers choose Karak Chai for its soothing warmth, comforting nature and ability to integrate into a calm daily ritual. 

Karak Chai Origin and Craftsmanship 

The foundation of this blend is high grade Assam black tea sourced from the Sibsagar region of northeast India, an area celebrated for its strong, malty tea character. Assam’s hot, humid climate and fertile alluvial soils create ideal conditions for cultivating both tea and the spices traditionally used in authentic chai. 

Ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and bay leaf all thrive in the region’s warm, rain rich environment, which enhances the aromatic oils and natural pungency of each spice. Harvesting at optimal moments throughout the year ensures the spices are at their most fragrant and flavourful.  

Karak Chai itself evolved from Masala Chai, originating in India during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While Masala Chai trends towards heavier spice dominance, Karak Chai places the emphasis on the tea, supported by balanced spices that add warmth and complexity. Popularised across the Persian Gulf, particularly in Dubai and Bahrain, Karak Chai has become a beloved everyday ritual known for its bold, creamy character. 

Further Reading and Related Teas 

Learn more about Chai Tea
Learn How to Brew Chai Tea
Shop Chai Tea
Discover our Tea Strainers and Teaware 
• Read more about the science behind the benefits of Honeybush Tea

Region

Sibsagar Assam Region, India

The Assam region of India, located in the northeastern part of the country, is renowned for its rich, full-bodied black tea, which forms the robust foundation of traditional Indian chai. Assam’s hot, humid climate, coupled with fertile alluvial soil, creates ideal conditions for cultivating not only tea but also a variety of spices integral to chai, such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and bay leaf. These ingredients thrive in Assam's warm, wet environment, which accelerates growth and enhances the aromatic oils and pungency of the spices.

The abundant rainfall, averaging 2,500 to 3,000 mm annually, and temperatures ranging from 18°C to 37°C, boost the flavour and quality of both tea and spices. When combined, these spices and Assam tea create a deeply aromatic, invigorating brew that epitomises the authentic chai experience. Careful harvesting at optimal times—ginger and turmeric in winter, cardamom in late summer, and cloves and cinnamon during the late rainy season—ensures that
the spices retain their potent essential oils. Assam, therefore, is not just a producer of premium black tea but also a vital hub for the cultivation of the key spices that contribute to the complex flavours of Indian chai.

3g - 4g

200ml

100°C

3 - 5mins

Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 15 reviews.

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Reviews

not my cup of tea

"Just a quick review on your products; I haven't tried all of them as yet. The Earl Grey; it doesn't have that beautiful bergamot flavour its to 'lemony'. The Christmas tea has a wonderful smell but it doesn't translate to the taste; it's as though it has been sprayed with the odours and they disappear when steeped. Also; you sent a previous email where you have 30% discount but, it was all for 'matcha' teas which I don't drink. I like a good tasting black tea (what the English drink) ☺️& you are quiet expensive for that little bag. Thank you for your interest. Tula G."

Tula G. (3/5)

"A new tea for us here but one that we have sampled many a time in the middle east. It is an indulgent tea for us as normally we do not take our teas sweetened. This is our only guilty, tea, secret. Just wonderful. ❤️"

Ian (5/5)

Best Karak Chai

"This is by far the best Karak Chai I have had, the cardamom levels are just right with the correct amount of spice and sweetness to make the perfect drink"

Jamie B. (5/5)

Karak chai.

"Love it."

Neil S. (5/5)

spicy

"I find this tea very spicy but I like all these spices and appreciate the blend, too. I mix it however with pure assam to subdue the strength of aroma. I never add milk to the tea unless it is some pure black tea and I am very hungry (then tea becomes meal for me)."

Diana K. (5/5)

Delicious

"Generous amount of spice with whole Assam leaves."

Mayumi F. (5/5)

A Different Chai for Me

"I hadn’t realised that chais could be so different from one another until I tried this one. I’m sure it’s an excellent quality tea with a great taste for those who like it, but I’ll be sticking with my Authentic Masala Chai - which my taste buds think is an absolute winner!"

Glenda P. (4/5)

A great winter favourite of mine.

"The Karak Chai by The Tea Makers of London delivers a rich and authentic chai experience. This bold blend combines strong Assam tea with a medley of warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, creating a robust and aromatic cup. Perfectly suited for preparation with milk and sugar, as tradition dictates. The spices are well-balanced, offering just the right amount of warmth without overpowering the tea’s natural strength."

Alice S. (5/5)

Fabulous Christmas rea

"Christmas tea is amazing fabulous flavours just perfect"

Steve v. (5/5)

Amazing!

"I keep coming back to this tea. Really well-balanced with strong spice and a smooth tea base that doesn't disappear. About to buy more. . ."

Naomi L. (5/5)

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