Muji Chai: I had to go shopping for some shoes and realized that all department stores here are extremely high-end, where Theory seems to be the most affordable recognizable brand besides Muji or Uniqlo. The Muji at the top of the Akomeya mall in Shinjuku had a vending machine and I decided to give it a try. My top choice, a lychee drink with konjac nata de coco, was sold out, so I opted for a can of chai, which comes in an aluminum bottle with a twist-off cap. I liked the minimalism of the packagin... (read more) 2.5/5.0
drinks muji japanese tokyo chai 2.5Eat Me Golden Chai Ice Cream: Another solid pint of coconut-milk-based dairy-free ice cream from Rochester-based Eat Me Ice Cream. This one has a swirl of orange and yellow ice cream flavored with turmeric, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. As far as chai ice creams go, this is definitely one of the better ones I've had. I'm a little worried about the nutrition facts, since it's coconut-based, but the label is conveniently missing the label, so I could just enjoy it for the flavor! Purchased at the Park Slope Food Coop. 3.5/5.0
recommended icecream parkslopefoodcoop coconut dessert eatme golden chai ice cream 3.5Ice & Vice Nankhatai n' cream ice cream : Ice & Vice currently has a variety of Cookies and Cream riffs, ranging from sweet potato and sesame to tomatillo and blue corn. The version I ordered combines chai with bits of pistachio cardamom cookie. The single scoop was pricy, but the portion was generous. It has a smooth consistency with a concentrated spiced flavor that worked really well together. I did find it to be overly rich, and that combined with the large portion size made it feel a bit samey as I was reaching the end, so I wo... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended icecream nyc dessert chai pistachio icevice nankhatai n' cream ice 3.5Boba Guys Chai tea with boba: A pretty good drink from Boba Guys in Canal Street market, but too sweet even at 30% sugar. Otherwise, a nicely spiced chai. I generally find the boba to be a bit inconsistent from this location. This time, it was overly chewy. 3.0/5.0
drinks nyc bubbletea milktea bobaguys chai tea boba 3.0Sweetgreens Iced Chai: Up to this point, I had been resistant to the ~$15 salads at Sweetgreens, but after returning to Berkeley after traveling, I often crave fresh fruit and vegetables. I caved in and stopped by Sweetgreens for a salad (which was actually filling and quite tasty) and purchased a cup of iced chai to accompany my greens. I really enjoyed this calorie and sugar-free option, with its warming blend of fragrant spices like cinnamon, cardamon, and cloves. A surprisingly concentrated flavor. Very re... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks berkeley sweetgreens iced chai 3.5 teaChristina's Chai Ice Cream: Still my favorite place to get ice cream in Cambridge, Christina's seasonal chai-flavored ice cream is the perfect blend of spice, cream, and sweetness. It has a deep milky flavor, and the spiced cardamon and cinnamon blend builds over time. Perfect for the hot summer days we've been experiencing in Boston. Happy National Ice Cream Day! 4.0/5.0
recommended frozen icecream dessert christinas chai ice cream 4.0