CALMER CHAI FAQ's
What is Chai and why do we love it so much? Hailing from India, this sweet and spicy beverage has become a worldwide favourite amongst tea and coffee drinkers alike.
When Calmer Sutra founder, Caitlin West, first stumbled upon this spice-infused drink many moons ago, chai was a rarity amongst cafes in Australia. As a non-coffee drinker, a chai addict and café enthusiast, she had an urge to fill this gap by dreaming up a concept to recreate her take on a non-traditional masala chai.
To help you get on your way to enjoying a soothing cup of Calmer Sutra Tea, here are a few answers to some FAQ's:
What is Chai made from?
Chai can be made from a variety of different spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper & star anise. The tea base is more often than not a black tea, with Assam being the most common. Our Chai includes fresh ginger which gives it a gentle kick!
What does Chai mean?
Chai means "Tea" in Hindi, so saying Chai Tea would actually be saying 'Tea-Tea'. In Hebrew, Chai means "Life" or "Living", and we couldn't agree more with the comparison!
Is there caffeine in your original Calmer Chai?
We use a small amount (23%) of black tea as a base for our Award Winning Calmer chai. However, the tea we use is naturally lower in tannins and caffeine than your average black tea. The amount of caffeine in your cup will also depend on how much of the blend you use and how long you steep it for. We now offer a 100% caffeine free version of our chai which uses dandelion & chicory root as the base instead of black tea.
We use a small amount (23%) of black tea as a base for our Award Winning Calmer chai. However, the tea we use is naturally lower in tannins and caffeine than your average black tea. The amount of caffeine in your cup will also depend on how much of the blend you use and how long you steep it for. We now offer a 100% caffeine free version of our chai which uses dandelion & chicory root as the base instead of black tea.
What is the shelf life of your chai?
6 months in the fridge or freezer. These are 'best before' dates and are more so a quality guide. Beyond these dates the chai will lose its potency. It will not actually spoil at this time and is safe to consume for many months beyond.
6 months in the fridge or freezer. These are 'best before' dates and are more so a quality guide. Beyond these dates the chai will lose its potency. It will not actually spoil at this time and is safe to consume for many months beyond.
Why do you recommend keeping the chai in the fridge or freezer?
When you store the product at refrigerated or frozen temperatures you are helping to lock in the freshness and flavour of the spices. This helps achieve a better quality product for a longer time. Also, we use fresh ginger which contains moisture in our chai and super spiced cacao blends. Unrefrigerated for lengthy periods of time will result in the product spoiling. The products in our chai and SSC family will be fine at room temperature for a few days and will not spoil for at least 2 weeks, so if it's left out overnight, or you are posting to a friend - do not fear! Just put it back in the fridge as soon as possible.
When you store the product at refrigerated or frozen temperatures you are helping to lock in the freshness and flavour of the spices. This helps achieve a better quality product for a longer time. Also, we use fresh ginger which contains moisture in our chai and super spiced cacao blends. Unrefrigerated for lengthy periods of time will result in the product spoiling. The products in our chai and SSC family will be fine at room temperature for a few days and will not spoil for at least 2 weeks, so if it's left out overnight, or you are posting to a friend - do not fear! Just put it back in the fridge as soon as possible.
Can I reuse the chai once I have made a pot?
We believe fresh is best! Once the chai has been brewed, the tannins in the tea have been released as has much of the flavour from the spices. Yes you can reuse, but the result will never be as abundant in flavour!
We believe fresh is best! Once the chai has been brewed, the tannins in the tea have been released as has much of the flavour from the spices. Yes you can reuse, but the result will never be as abundant in flavour!
Where are your products made?
All of our blends are lovingly handcrafted (fresh to order) in our Melbourne kitchen by our dedicated production staff. We only use the finest ingredients and stick to small batches to ensure the freshest chai possible.
All of our blends are lovingly handcrafted (fresh to order) in our Melbourne kitchen by our dedicated production staff. We only use the finest ingredients and stick to small batches to ensure the freshest chai possible.
How long will it take to receive my online order?
Metropolitan Melbourne: 1-2 business days
Metropolitan Melbourne: 1-2 business days
Regional Victoria & Interstate: 3-5 business days
Your order will be processed & dispatched 1 business day after it has been submitted. Please note that occasionally there may be a hold up within Australia Post which is out of our control. You can however track your parcel at any time to find out where it is.
Why does the chai taste different when I brew it at home compared to when I order it in a cafe?
Cafes generally use a different brewing method whereby they texture the milk to create a creamy chai latte. For some unknown (probably scientifically explained) reason this does change the flavour slightly when compared with a stove top brew. If you have access to a coffee machine or steaming device you can achieve a result more similar to a cafe style chai latte.
Cafes generally use a different brewing method whereby they texture the milk to create a creamy chai latte. For some unknown (probably scientifically explained) reason this does change the flavour slightly when compared with a stove top brew. If you have access to a coffee machine or steaming device you can achieve a result more similar to a cafe style chai latte.
See our brewing tips for a guide.
After being in the post is my chai still fresh?
Yes! We post our chai unrefrigerated as it is shelf-stable at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Pop your chai in the fridge or freezer as soon as you receive it as this will extend the shelf life and help lock in the freshness and flavour.
Yes! We post our chai unrefrigerated as it is shelf-stable at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Pop your chai in the fridge or freezer as soon as you receive it as this will extend the shelf life and help lock in the freshness and flavour.
Are your products Gluten Free?
Yes! There is no gluten used in the production of our products.
Yes! There is no gluten used in the production of our products.
If you have any other questions regarding our products feel free to shoot us an email or give us a call.
03 9553 2836
orders@calmersutratea.com.au
03 9553 2836
orders@calmersutratea.com.au