Serenity Chai caffeine-free spiced chai from Bumi Herbs

Caffeine-Free Chai Without Rooibos: A Spice-Only Chai from Bali

If you love chai but want to skip caffeine in the evening, you've probably noticed that most "caffeine-free chai" is made with rooibos. Rooibos is lovely, but it has its own strong, honeyed flavour – and some people simply don't enjoy it. There's another way: a chai made only from spices and herbs.

What is a spice-only chai?

Traditional masala chai is black tea simmered with spices. Take away the tea, and you're left with the part most people actually crave: warm ginger, sweet cinnamon, floral cardamom, clove, black pepper and star anise. Our Serenity Chai adds two Balinese touches – lemongrass and pandan leaf – for a fresher, softly sweet finish.

How does it compare?

  • Black-tea chai: malty, bold, contains caffeine.
  • Rooibos chai: caffeine-free, with a distinct earthy, honey-like rooibos base.
  • Spice-only chai: caffeine-free, lighter body, and the spices are the star.

How to brew it

Tea bags

Steep 1 tea bag in 200–250 ml just-boiled water for 5–7 minutes. Longer steeping gives a spicier cup.

Loose leaf

Use 1–2 teaspoons per 250 ml, steep 5–7 minutes and strain.

An easy evening chai latte

  1. Simmer 2 tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose leaf) in 100 ml water for 5 minutes.
  2. Add 150 ml milk or oat milk and warm gently – don't boil.
  3. Sweeten with honey, coconut sugar or maple syrup.
  4. Strain into a mug and finish with a pinch of cinnamon.

Spice-only chai has a lighter body than black tea, so brewing it strong is the key to a creamy latte.

Prefer a morning version?

Power Chai uses the same spice blend with black tea, for a classic caffeinated chai.

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