Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question about Bondi Chai, we hope you'll find the answer here... if not, contact us and we'll get the answer for you.

What is Chai?

It is a spiced tea drink made with milk. The original recipe for the drink we aim to recreate hails from India where it is known as chai masala and where it has a long and colourful history. Chai latte is a term first coined in Canada and the US where the first attempts were made to replicate the wonderfully flavoured but complex and time-consuming original recipe. Bondi Chai is an Australian refinement of the US version. It is a delicious blend of vanilla, honey, cinnamon and ginger and other comfort spices with a Darjeeling tea base that is typically made as a latte-style or iced drink.

What’s the difference between the two flavours?

The vanilla honey is a smoother flavour with fewer spices. Club Cinnamon is a more traditional “chai masala” flavour with stronger cinnamon amd other spices.

What does it taste like?

We’ve heard people describe the Vanilla Honey flavour as a little bit like egg custard, egg nog, or “Mum’s tea cake”. We’ve also heard the flavours described – very often – as ‘almost addictive’! Trying to describe the flavour of Club Cinnamon is a bit like trying to give someone a haircut over the telephone!

How do you make it?

Two teaspoons of powder in a glass/cup, pour on steamed milk and stir. For a frappe make with milk and ice in a blender. Add vanilla yoghurt and/or fruit for a delicious fruit smoothie (the powder is designed to dissolve in cold milk).

Does it contain dairy?

Yes – Bondi Chai is made with skim milk powder and whey powder both of which are dairy products. Many people who prefer the taste, make Bondi Chai on soy or rice milk.

Is it an Australian product?

Absolutely! More than 99% of the ingredients are sourced in Australia (just two of the ingredients are not available from Australia).
Bondi Chai is a genuinely all-Australian product: made in Australia; using Australian ingredients; to an Australian-developed recipe; by a 100% Australian-owned, privately held company.

How much sugar is in it?

About the same as a typical ‘white with one’ cup of tea or coffee. Chai is traditionally a sweet drink, but by using Australian honey as a sweetener we have been able to significantly reduce the amounts of sugar normally used.

Does it have caffeine in it?

Yes – a small amount, about the same as green tea, which is half that of a brewed black tea and around one-quarter the caffeine you'll find in good espresso coffee. Bondi Chai contains 3% Darjeeling tea extract, but if you’re looking for a caffeine hit – you won’t get it from Bondi Chai!

Is it organic?

No. Bondi Chai is made from only premium quality ingredients which are as ‘natural’ as possible, but some of the ingredients can not be obtained from organic sources.

Is it Gluten Free?

Yes. Bondi Chai is certified 'no gluten detected' (in lab. tests which detect levels down to <5ppm), a fact noted on our packaging.

Does it have coffee in it?

No – it looks very like a café latte, but it is a tea-based drink.

Is it Halal certified?

Yes. Bondi Chai is Halal certified by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

How many drinks in a bag?

Our 250g packs make up 25 x 10g serves. Foodservice bags are 1kg and make up 100 serves.

Where is it made?

It is manufactured under contract in Queensland for a company based in New South Wales.

Where is it sold?

Bondi Chai is sold around Australia (in cafes and discerning retailers) and in several countries overseas. Contact your nearest distributor for more details

Can you make it with water?

Yes – some people prefer the stronger, spicier flavours of ‘chai tea’ and add Bondi Chai to hot water for a quick chai tea.

Nutritional information:

VANILLA HONEY

CLUB CINNAMON

Bondi Chai is made almost exclusively from local ingredients (just two of the flavours are imported as they are not available in Australia and together they constitute less than 1% of the ingredients).