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Toronto’s best chai latte

May 1, 2012 | Jewish TribunecloseAuthor: Jewish Tribune Name: Jewish Tribune
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Top chai latte

Abby Feferman

My current drink of choice is the chai latte. A friend recently introduced me to this spicy sweet beverage, and after sampling a variety of corporate renditions, I quickly realized that not all chai lattes are created equal. Chai tea hails from India, where spice reigns, and actual lattes don’t. The chai latte is the North Americanized version of the spicy milky tea. I’m sure there are dozens of authentic Indian dining and teas houses that can make a mean chai but here is my breakdown of the city’s big coffee companies’ hits and misses. Who gets the Chai 5? (Rated out 5 chais) All drinks are size small, soymilk.

AROMA
Authenticity: Great flavour with a nice hint of spiciness
Sweetness: Not too sweet
Will it Make me Fat: Aroma doesn’t list nutritional information.
All the better. I’ll have another.
Will it Make me Broke: $4.04
Rating: 4.5 Chais

STARBUCKS
Authenticity: This drink packs a lot of flavour. The spice is definitely there
Sweetness: Major sweetness overkill. I would ask for less syrup next time
Will it Make me Fat: 5.3 grams fat
Will it Make me Broke: $4.80
Rating: 3.5 Chais

SECOND CUP
Authenticity: More like a chai mud puddle
Sweetness: The only sweetness was from the soymilk
Will it Make me Fat: : 5.4 grams fat
Will it Make me Broke: $4.10
Rating: 1 Chai

TIMOTHY’S
Authenticity: A fair amount of spice, but lacking a punch
Sweetness: Just the right amount
Will it Make me Fat: : 11 grams fat
Will it Make me Broke: $4.15
Rating: 4 Chais

Tags: Aroma chai tea culture featured ratings Second Cup Starbucks style Timothy's