Introduction
If you love Starbucks chai lattes, you might have asked yourself: what chai does Starbucks use? (Full Guide for 2026)
The answer is simple. Starbucks uses its own chai tea concentrate for hot and iced chai lattes. They also sell Teavana chai tea bags for customers who want to brew tea at home.
But there is more to the story. Starbucks changed its chai recipe in 2026 to give customers more control over sweetness. In this guide, I will explain everything you need to know about Starbucks chai. You will learn what is in it, how it is made, and how you can enjoy it at home.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Chai Does Starbucks Use?
Starbucks uses a chai tea concentrate as the base for all their chai drinks. This concentrate is a thick, sweet liquid made from black tea and spices. Baristas mix it with milk to create your favorite chai latte.
The concentrate is made only for Starbucks. You cannot buy it in stores. However, you can buy Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate at most grocery stores. Former Starbucks employees say the Tazo recipe is almost the same as the Starbucks recipe.
Starbucks also sells Teavana Chai Tea Bags. These are full-leaf tea sachets with black tea and traditional chai spices. You can buy them at Starbucks stores or online.
So the short answer is: Starbucks uses their own private-label chai concentrate and Teavana chai tea bags.
The Main Ingredients in Starbucks Chai
The ingredients in Starbucks chai concentrate are simple and natural. Here is what goes into it:
- Water
- Black tea
- Black pepper
- Ginger
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Star anise
- Natural flavors
- Honey
- Ginger juice
- Citric acid
The concentrate also includes classic syrup made from sugar, water, and natural flavors.
What Makes It Special?
The spice blend is what gives Starbucks chai its warm, cozy taste. The main spices are:
- Cinnamon – adds sweetness and warmth
- Cardamom – gives a floral, citrusy note
- Ginger – brings a little kick
- Cloves – adds depth and richness
- Black pepper – gives a mild heat
These are the same spices used in traditional Indian masala chai.
How Starbucks Makes Their Chai Lattes
Now you know what chai Starbucks uses. But how do they turn it into a drink?
Step-by-Step Process
- Pump the concentrate – Baristas add a certain number of pumps of chai concentrate to a cup. A 16-ounce (Grande) drink gets 4 pumps.
- Add water (for hot lattes) – For a hot chai latte, they add hot water to the concentrate.
- Steam the milk – They steam milk until it is hot and frothy.
- Pour and top – They pour the steamed milk over the chai mixture and top it with foam.
For an Iced Chai Latte, they skip the hot water. They pour the concentrate over ice and add cold milk.
Can You Skip the Water?
Yes! If you want a stronger chai flavor, you can ask for your chai latte with no water. This makes the drink richer and more intense.
Starbucks Teavana Chai Tea Bags
Starbucks sells chai tea under the Teavana brand. Teavana is Starbucks’ own tea company.
What Are Teavana Chai Tea Bags?
These are full-leaf sachets filled with black tea and spices. Each sachet contains:
How to Brew Them
- Heat water to boiling.
- Place one sachet in your cup.
- Pour hot water over the sachet.
- Steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the sachet and enjoy.
You can drink it plain or add milk and sweetener.
The History of Starbucks Chai
Starbucks has been serving chai for over 25 years. Here is a quick timeline:
- 1998 – Starbucks tested chai lattes in Los Angeles. The drink was an instant hit.
- 1999 – Chai lattes became a permanent menu item across the US and Canada.
- For many years – Starbucks used Tazo chai concentrate.
- Later – Starbucks switched to their own private-label concentrate. The recipe stayed almost the same.
- March 2026 – Starbucks launched a new Premium Chai recipe. It now has only 2 grams of sugar from honey. Customers can now adjust the sweetness by adding or removing pumps of classic syrup.
Nutrition Facts for Starbucks Chai
If you are watching your calories, here is what you need to know.
Grande (16 oz) Iced Chai Latte with 2% Milk
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 |
| Total Fat | 3.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbs | 32g |
| Sugars | 31g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Caffeine | 60mg |
Source: Starbucks official nutrition data
Tips for a Lighter Drink
- Ask for nonfat milk or almond milk
- Request fewer pumps of classic syrup
- Order a smaller size (Tall is 12 oz)
How to Make a Starbucks Chai Latte at Home
You cannot buy the exact Starbucks concentrate. But you can get very close.
Option 1: Use Tazo Chai Concentrate
Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate tastes almost identical to Starbucks.
Recipe for a 16 oz drink:
- 4 ounces (½ cup) Tazo Chai Concentrate
- 12 ounces of your favorite milk
- Ice (for iced) or heat the milk (for hot)
Mix and enjoy!
Option 2: Make Your Own Concentrate
You can make a big batch of chai concentrate at home.
Ingredients:
- 10-12 chai tea bags
- 4 cups of water
- ¼ to ½ cup of sugar or honey
Instructions:
- Boil the water.
- Add tea bags and sugar.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Let it cool.
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Use 1 part concentrate to 3 parts milk for your latte.
Option 3: Use Chai Tea Bags
For a simple cup, steep 2 chai tea bags in 1 cup of hot water. Add milk and sweetener to taste.
Customizing Your Chai at Starbucks
One of the best things about Starbucks is how much you can customize your drink.
Adjust the Sweetness
With the new 2026 recipe, you can control the sweetness:
- Add more pumps of classic syrup for a sweeter drink
- Remove pumps for less sweetness
- Swap classic syrup for vanilla or sugar-free syrup
Choose Your Milk
Starbucks offers many milk options:
- 2% milk (standard)
- Nonfat milk
- Whole milk
- Oat milk
- Almond milk
- Soy milk
- Coconut milk
Add a Shot of Espresso
Ask for a “dirty chai” to add a shot of espresso. This gives you an extra caffeine boost.
Try Seasonal Flavors
Starbucks often releases special chai drinks. Recent examples include:
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of chai does Starbucks use?
Starbucks uses their own private-label chai concentrate. They also sell Teavana chai tea bags.
Does Starbucks use Tazo chai?
Not anymore. Starbucks used to use Tazo, but they switched to their own brand. The recipes are very similar.
Can I buy Starbucks chai concentrate?
No. The concentrate is made only for Starbucks stores. But Tazo makes a very similar product you can buy at grocery stores.
What is in a Starbucks chai latte?
A Starbucks chai latte contains chai concentrate (black tea, spices, honey) and steamed milk. It is topped with foam.
Is Starbucks chai sweet?
Yes, but you can control the sweetness. The standard recipe includes classic syrup. You can ask for fewer pumps to make it less sweet.
Does Starbucks chai have caffeine?
Yes. A Grande Iced Chai Latte has about 60mg of caffeine. This is less than a cup of coffee.
Is Starbucks chai healthy?
It can be part of a balanced diet. A Grande has 190 calories and 31g of sugar. You can make it lighter by choosing nonfat milk and fewer syrup pumps.
What is the difference between chai tea and a chai latte?
Chai tea is just tea brewed with spices. A chai latte adds steamed milk and sweetener. Starbucks chai lattes use a concentrate instead of tea bags.
Conclusion
So, what chai does Starbucks use?
Starbucks uses a proprietary chai tea concentrate made from black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and star anise. They sweeten it with honey and classic syrup.
For customers who want to brew at home, Starbucks sells Teavana chai tea bags.
The good news is you can enjoy the same great taste at home. Tazo chai concentrate is a close match. Or you can make your own concentrate with chai tea bags.
Now you know exactly what goes into your favorite Starbucks chai drink. Whether you order it at the store or make it yourself, you can enjoy that warm, spicy flavor anytime.
Ready to try making your own chai latte? Grab some Tazo concentrate or chai tea bags and start experimenting today!