I Try Cali Chai
For those of you who don’t follow my instagram (@itrychai), I had to go on an unexpected trip to California last week.
While I was there I fit in some chai stops along the way, so this post is going to be some short reviews of my favorite ones (if you read to the end there’s something special!).
Portola Coffee Roasters
Location: 143 N Glassell St, Orange, CA
I was brought to this coffee shop by a friend who lives right near it. Immediately a good sing when the locals love it, right?
I really wish I took more photos of the inside because they had a really cool vintage almost steampunk vibe going on in there, it was intriguing because I don’t see too much of that here back home.
I got an iced chai (because at this point it was pretty hot during the day). I wasn’t able to visually see how they made it, but going by taste I believe they use a concentrate but whatever it is IT IS GOOD.
I really really liked this chai, you can taste the key flavors that should be in a chai, and it wasn’t too sugary (sweetness ratio was spot-on). This is a neighborhood chai that everyone would love, and I really wish I could’ve gone back a second time.
Coffee + Nature
Location: 355 Bristol St #U, Costa Mesa, CA
I stumbled across Coffee + Nature on instagram, and to be honest, it was the pictures of their food and their cute cup design that brought me here.
I know, I know….. I’m a sucker for packaging.
This chai I got hot, because at this point it was like 50-60 degrees outside and I was pretty cold.
I noticed not only here but a couple other cafes I went to asked if I wanted my chai spiced or vanilla…. Not too sure what that’s about, but I don’t care for super sweet drinks so I always ask for the spiced one if they give me an option.
This was super good, and I don’t know if it was better because I was feeling so cold, but it was super creamy and warm and just makes you happy.
I know I’m kinda rambling, but this was a very good chai. not too spicy, but not too sweet. It’s really hard to find that balance without tasting like plain sugary milk with a * hint * of cinnamon.
P.s. If you try this place out, they do an awesome avocado toast with lemon pepper on top, just ask for it extra toasted. But I’m not an avocado toast blog so………
On to the last one!
Urth Caffé
Location: 100 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA
Of course, I saved the best for last. But ironically, it was also one of the last chais I had in Cali.
After dinner with friends, they took us to Urth Cafe, which is this super cool litte-piece-of-New York kinda place. We went there pretty late at night since we had a late dinner (thanks to traffic).
Even though it was late, it was still pretty busy with people. This was probably the coldest night yet, and they had a room with tables and a fire pit in the middle which was neat.
They took their tea seriously. There was a wall of loose leaf tea you could check out, and they even had tea from Africa!
I got the Divine Spice Chai Latte, and it was so. good. It’s always the last stop that’s the best right?? I really wish I bought this one so I could make it at home.
There was just enough honey to balance it out, but not too much where it muted everything else. All in all just a fantastic cup of chai, 10/10 would recommend.
Oh, and their desserts are amazing too.
Sidecar Doughnuts
Here’s a little something extra I’m gonna throw in here, Sidecar Doughnuts.
Location: 270 E 17th St #18, Costa Mesa, CA
These are the best donuts I’ve ever had, and as the sign in the picture above says, they’re made fresh every hour!
They have so many flavors that change daily & seasonally, so because it is chai season, they had a special vegan chai donut!
This was a cake style donut and it’s gluten friendly, so naturally it was on the more dense side. I wasn’t a super huge fan, but it did have the cinnamon/clove/nutmeg spices in there, making it true to it’s name which I respect. So if you’re a die hard chai fanatic and happen to stop by, go for it.
And that’s it! I was able to make many more stops for chai, but these are the ones that really stood out. I hope to do a chai trip at some point in the future, so keep an eye out for future articles.
Leave a comment below of your favorite place to get a chai in these areas, or if you’ve tried any of these locations!
— Chai Enthusiast