I’m very dedicated to my morning ritual of making pour-over coffee. It’s a labor of love to break out the electric kettle, measure and grind the beans, and carefully drip near-boiling water into my single-serve Chemex. But sometimes, it’s more labor than love. I don’t always have the luxury of time every morning, and without a traditional coffee maker in my kitchen my only other option is to hit up a local coffee shop (which doesn’t really save me time). And no, skipping my morning caffeine is not an option!
It might be time to upgrade to something faster — and gentler on my empty stomach than straight black coffee. Thanks to some chatter around the office, I’m looking at the Dona Masala Chai Concentrate as a quick and flavorful alternative.
What Is Dona Masala Chai Concentrate?
Dona creates chai concentrates that take the stress out of making a chai latte at home. The Masala Chai is a black tea concentrate blended with black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, plus a bit of sugar and molasses for a touch of sweetness. The result is a warming, gently spiced chai that’s sweet but not cloying. Ingredients are ethically sourced from around the world — its black tea comes from a women-run tea estate in Assam, India, while the cardamom is purchased from a single farmer in Honduras. And while they’re not certified organic (it’s expensive to get certified), all of their producers use organic farming methods.
To use, the brand suggests mixing equal parts concentrate and your milk of choice. Then enjoy it your way by heating it up on the stove or in the microwave, steaming it, or pouring it over ice.
Based in Brooklyn, New York, the independent tea company produces its concentrates in-house. The folks at Dona grind fresh spices and steep them in custom kettles, and in small batches to ensure quality. Once your bottle’s open, use it within 30 days; unopened, it’s good on your shelf for up to 18 months.
Why Editors Love Dona Masala Chai Concentrate
“I’ve been putting this chai concentrate in everything lately, and I genuinely can’t stop,” Katie Maguire, Apartment Therapy’s director of content shopping strategy, told me. Tossing aside the instruction to mix equal parts milk and concentrate, she says, “I’ve been mixing it into my iced coffee and iced matcha, where it adds this warm, complex spice element that makes both drinks feel so much more interesting. All the spices blend together seamlessly without any single one overpowering the rest, and the result is just really delicious.”
And it is truly a concentrate, Maguire attests. “The flavor is incredibly potent, so a little really does go a long way. I don’t personally think you need to be heavy-handed with it.” She adds, “A chai latte is my favorite coffee shop treat, so being able to make one at home feels extra special.” And at $2 to $3 per serving, it’s certainly cheaper.
