Does Chai Tea Contain Caffeine?

Chai can be caffeinated or decaffeinated, although the caffeinated version of the drink is traditional and more commonly found. This sweet tea-based beverage is an Indian tradition which has gained popularity in the West in recent years. Caffeine in chai can have both benefits and dangers to your health--check with your doctor if you are concerned about your caffeine consumption through chai.

History

Chai is simply the word for "tea" in Sanskrit and Hindi. The chai tradition developed in India some 2,500 years ago as a result of trade with China. Chai now refers specifically to a spiced tea which is sweetened and mixed with milk in the Indian tradition. In Western countries, chai is available as a spiced black tea which is then prepared with milk. Major cafe chains now offer "chai lattes," so-called because of their high milk content.

Caffeine Content of Chai

The caffeine content of chai depends on the type of tea used in preparation. According to the India Joze website, green or black tea varieties can be used in the preparation of chai, and using a decaffeinated tea as the basis of the chai will result in a beverage with minimal caffeine content. The Mayo Clinic website states the caffeine content of 240 milliliters of regular black tea is between 40 and 120 milligrams. Two hundred forty ml is equivalent to eight fluid ounces, or half of a Starbucks "grande" beverage. Decaffeinated black tea has between 2 and 10 mg of caffeine in every 8 oz or 240 ml. A 16 oz ("grande") Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte contains 100 mg of caffeine. Therefore, the caffeine content of the average chai is a little lower than the average black tea--this is likely because the milk in chai dilutes the tea.

Combinations

The black or green tea typically used to make chai can be mixed with different sweeteners, milks, and spices. Dairy milk is most commonly used, but chai can also be made with soy milk or rice milk. Sugar, honey or artificial sweeteners may be added to the chai. According to the Culinary Teas website, some of the spices typically present in chai include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and ginger.

Benefits

Although excessive caffeine consumption is generally considered detrimental to health, the caffeine in chai can have several health benefits in moderation. Because caffeine is a stimulant, caffeine consumption can temporarily boost energy and fight fatigue. Caffeine is also a common ingredient in diet pills because it may temporarily aid weight loss by speeding up your metabolism. Recently, it has been indicated that caffeine may be beneficial for patients with Parkinson's disease. In 2010, the "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease" reported that caffeine can protect against neuron degeneration, thereby delaying the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease.

Warning

Too much caffeine can be dangerous. Because it is a stimulant, caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, shakiness, headaches and heart palpitations. According to a letter published in the journal "Psychopharmacology," caffeine can lower a person's seizure threshhold. If you are prone to seizures or suffer from epilepsy, overconsumption of caffeine may cause you to have more seizures. The Mayo Clinic recommends the average adult should limit caffeine intake to no more than 500 or 600 mg per day.