Here’s where it gets weird. Some places make their chai concentrate with vanilla or even chocolate undertones. You take a sip and whisper, “Is that… coffee?” Nope. It’s just a rogue flavor chemist in the back.
If you’re really worried, ask your barista. They won’t judge. They’ve heard dumber questions, I promise. (“Does the decaf have less caffeine at night?” Yes, someone asked that.)
Or just order a matcha latte and really confuse your taste buds. Spoiler: matcha is green tea powder. No coffee there either. The game is rigged.
What About the Caffeine?
Okay, so there’s no coffee in a regular chai latte. But does it still have caffeine? Yes. Black tea has caffeine—about half of what’s in a standard cup of coffee. So you’ll get a gentle buzz, not a jolt.
It’s like caffeine’s polite cousin who shows up to the party but leaves early. No heart palpitations, just a cozy vibe and maybe a sudden urge to organize your bookshelf.
If you want the full rocket fuel experience, go for the dirty chai. Your heart might do a little tap dance, but your task list will get crushed.
