Real talk: “chai latte” is a Western comfort food spin on masala chai. In India, chai is made with loose tea, whole spices, milk, and sugar—boiled together until it’s dark and aromatic. No foam art. No paper cup.
Your Starbucks version is a sweet, milk-heavy cousin. And that’s okay. Enjoy it. But maybe also try the real deal someday. It’s humbling. It’s delicious. It’s how your granny’s granny would do it.
