Midwinter in Canberra, there’s nothing better on a cold day than a hot, fragrant cup of sticky chai.
Sticky chai is typically a blend of black tea leaves, whole spices, and a wet ingredient that binds it together. The traditional choice is honey, but agave or coconut nectar can be used as vegan options. Fans of sticky chai love how the sweetness elevates the spice flavours. The tea blend is then brewed or infused with milk.
A crash course in sticky chai
‘Chai’ means ‘tea’ in Hindi. Several other languages use the word ‘chai’ too or a close cognate. So when you ask for ‘chai tea,’ you’re really asking for ‘tea tea.’
There is no one recipe for sticky chai. ‘Masala’, which means ‘mixture’, is probably the most familiar version, but regions around the world have concocted their own blends. Popular spices in sticky chai include: turmeric root, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon bark, star anise, black peppercorn, and fennel. Rose petals and citrus peels are sometimes added. The flavour of sticky chai can range from bold and peppery to smooth and floral. Part of the fun is trying all the different blends to find the one you like best.
Sticky chai goes by different names on Canberra café menus. Its aliases include wet chai, masala chai, honey chai, infused chai, and more. What it’s not is your typical chai latte – no powders allowed here!
I wandered across Canberra to find my favourite versions of sticky chai. Moving north to south, these are my five picks. Hopefully they’ll become your favourites too!
Forrest Specialty Coffee – Belconnen
If you’re new to sticky chai, the honey chai at Forrest Specialty Coffee is a great place to start. Made by Canberra company Real Chai, the honey chai blend is made up of single-origin black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves – with local raw honey binding it together.
It’s basically comfort in a cup. The honey flavour is dominant, followed by a gentle aftertaste of cinnamon and ginger. It’s a chai that encourages you to kick back and linger in this quiet corner of a busy shopping hub.
Cost: $7.50
Where: Westfield Belconnen, Level 1, next to Priceline, Shop 95, 18 Benjamin Way, Belconnen
When: Mon – Thu: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm, Fri – Sat: 8.00 am – 4.30 pm, Sun: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm
Ambi’s Chai – ANU Campus
Want a quick trip back to your university days? Ambi’s Chai, located in a lively campus hub at ANU, is the perfect spot for sipping your chai outside or grabbing a cup on the go.
Ambi’s came to Canberra by way of Sydney and serves ‘Punjabi chai’ with an African influence. These exotic blends, loaded with ginger and pepper, added local flavours to the chai recipes Indian migrants brought to Africa. Ambi’s strong, assertive chais aren’t for the faint-hearted. Thankfully, their menu categorises their ten different chai blends as tame, strong, powerful, and exotic, so you can pick the one that best suits your taste buds.
If it’s your first time having Punjabi chai, do ask the helpful staff for their recommendations. The person brewing my chai was cheerful, talkative, and beyond experienced. He’s been brewing chai for years.
Don’t be in a hurry. Each chai is made and brewed from scratch. And it’s hot! It comes right off the cooktop and into your cup. I sampled two of the original flavours: Ambi’s and Ashlee’s. Both were delicious in different ways. Ambi’s is peppery and strong, yet sweet. Ashlee’s is also strong and spicy but less peppery.
Cost: $5.50 to $6.50, depending on your order
Where: Joplin Lane in the Chifley Library Block of ANU, Acton
When: Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Sat: 10:00 – 6:00 pm, Sun: Closed
East Row Specialty Coffee – Civic
I wandered into East Row Specialty Coffee on a gloomy winter afternoon and found a light, airy cafe filled with people chatting with their friends. There’s plenty of room to spread out, with the tables spaced well apart. The staff was friendly, and the service was quick.
The Sticky Honey Chai blend used here is made by Prana Chai, out of Melbourne. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, cloves, peppercorn, and ginger are combined with black tea and pure honey.
The blend is not too sweet and not too spicy. My cup of chai had a marvellous aroma of cinnamon. The taste is milky smooth, with accents of ginger and cardamom.
Cost: $7.00
Where: Inside the historic Sydney Building, at the corner of London Circuit and East Row, Shop 2/121 London Circuit, Canberra
When: Mon – Sat: 7:30 am – 3:00 pm, Sun: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Penny University – Kingston
Tucked away in the Kingston shops, Penny University drew inspiration from early London coffeehouses, where customers paid a penny to enter. These coffeehouses were known as ‘penny universities’ because they became popular meeting places where people could discuss the great ideas of the day.
Inside, exposed brick walls, shelves of books, and greenery make this cafe an appealing place to hang out. Attentive staff served a mostly local crowd on the rainy weekday I dropped by.
Their honey-infused chai tea on the menu is made with soy milk, but you can ask for your favourite milk instead. This exotic chai blend comes from Tea Journeys in Nowra. Along with the black tea and honey are twelve different ingredients, including some unusual additions like liquorice, nutmeg, mace, anise, orange peel, and rosemary. These combine in a drink with a subtle aroma and spicy flavour.
Cost – $7.00
Where: Old Kingston Shops, 15 Kennedy Street, Kingston
When: Mon – Sat: 6.00 am – 3.00 pm, Sun: 6:00 am – 2:30 pm
Grain de Café – Mawson
Okay, I saved the best for last – I’m sharing my local with you. Most of the seating at Grain de Café is in a covered space that feels a bit like a conservatory. It stays warm and cosy even on the coldest winter days. And it’s dog-friendly too!
My favourite spot is the metal table and wicker chairs in the corner. The space is dappled with light on sunny days, and cosy touches include colourful pillows and blankets. The friendly staff add to the feeling of warmth – they go out of their way to remember your name and favourite order.
Their Sticky Chai is a sophisticated blend that includes Ceylon black tea, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper, star anise, and cloves – held together with wildflower honey. The result is a mellow, sweet chai – deceptively smooth with subtle spicy tones and a faint peppery aftertaste. You can also ask for extra honey on the side, which isn’t really necessary but is nice if you’re craving some extra sweetness.
Cost: $6.50
Where: back corner of the Swinger Hill shops – Shop 10/84 Ainsworth St, Mawson
When: Mon – Fri: 6:30 am – 4:00 pm, Sat – Sun: 7:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Ready to try sticky chai?
While a cup of sticky chai is good all year round, it’s particularly comforting in Canberra’s cold season. There’s lots of winter left to sample the sticky chai at Canberra cafes and find what you like best.
Did I miss any of your favourites?
