Most chai menus offer one chai. Blossom Chai Cafe in Sunnyvale lists thirteen. Some names are plain spices, such as Ginger and Cardamom. Others, such as Kadak, Irani and Paan, assume you already know the style. The listings carry no descriptions, so a first-time guest is choosing from names alone. This guide explains what those names mean, groups the thirteen into a few choices, and suggests what to eat alongside, using only what the menu and reliable sources say.
How to read the chai list
The Chai category on the Blossom ordering page lists thirteen flavors with a name and nothing else:
- Masala Chai, Ginger Chai, Cardamom Chai, Cinnamon Chai
- Kadak Chai, Irani Chai
- Rose Chai, Saffron Chai, Pistachio Chai, Dubai Pestro Chai
- Tulsi Chai, Paan Chai, Pink Chai
The menu does not explain how any of them is made. Where a name is a regional style, this guide cites what is known about the style. It cannot say how Blossom prepares it, so ask the staff about strength, sweetness and milk when you order.
Start with the familiar spices
Masala chai is black tea brewed in milk and water, sweetened and flavored with spices, per Wikipedia. Cardamom, ginger and cinnamon are the most common spices. Three of Blossom’s flavors are named after exactly those: Cardamom Chai, Ginger Chai and Cinnamon Chai.
Masala Chai is the mixed version and the sensible first order. If you already know it, the three single-spice names let you try one note at a time. The cafe’s blog has a separate post comparing masala chai and chai latte.
Start here if:
- It is your first visit and you want the reference chai.
- You want to compare the mixed spices against one spice on its own.
Menu card — Masala Chai
Listed under Chai on the Blossom Chai Cafe ordering page. The listing has no description.
Strong and dark: Kadak Chai and Irani Chai
Two names describe strength and style rather than flavor.
Kadak Chai. Kadak means strong. A Hindi-language guide describes it as chai for someone who likes it strong, in contrast to halka, a lighter, milkier style. It is the order for anyone who finds ordinary chai too mild.
Irani Chai. This is the tea of Irani cafes, the Iranian-style cafes found in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune, according to Wikipedia. Those cafes also serve bun maska, bread and butter, which is why Bun Maska appears on the same menu.
Order Kadak Chai if: you want a stronger cup. Order Irani Chai if: you want the cafe-style tea and plan to eat a bun with it.
Menu card — Kadak Chai
Listed under Chai on the Blossom Chai Cafe ordering page. The listing has no description.
Floral and nutty: Rose, Saffron, Pistachio and Dubai Pestro
Rose Chai, Saffron Chai and Pistachio Chai are named for a single ingredient each: rose, saffron and pistachio. Dubai Pestro Chai is the one the menu does not explain, so ask what is in it.
None of the four has a description, so ask whether they are sweeter than the masala before you order for someone who likes chai plain. If you want a flavor that is easy to read from the name, this group is the simplest to choose from.
Herbal and unusual: Tulsi, Paan and Pink
The remaining three are the ones most guests will need explained.
Tulsi Chai. Tulsi is holy basil. The menu does not say more, so ask whether it is blended with spices.
Paan Chai. Paan is a South Asian preparation built around betel leaf. It is flavored with ingredients that can include coconut, dates, sugar, cloves and aniseed, per Wikipedia. The menu does not say which flavors the chai borrows, so ask.
Pink Chai. Pink tea can mean Kashmiri noon chai, made with gunpowder green tea, milk, baking soda and salt, which turns pink during a long boil, per Wikipedia. That version is savory. The menu does not say whether Blossom’s Pink Chai follows it or is a sweet pink drink, so ask before you order.
What to eat with your chai
Chai is traditionally paired with something to dip or share. The ordering page lists:
- Bun Maska, Bun Jam and Malai Maska Bun: soft buns with butter, jam or cream, going by the names.
- Cheese Chutney Bun and Nutella Bun: a savory and a sweet option.
- Samosa Bun, Samosa Chaat and Papdi Chaat: street food for a heavier snack.
- Spring Roll and Pani Puri, also on the list.
A simple plan for two: order two different chais, one familiar and one new, and share a Bun Maska so you can compare them against the same bite.
Menu card — Bun Maska
Listed on the Blossom Chai Cafe ordering page. The listing has no description.
Hours, location and how to order
Blossom Chai Cafe is at 199 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, phone (669) 249-7176. The website lists Monday to Wednesday 11 AM to 11 PM, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 11 AM to 12 AM, and Saturday 9 AM to 12 AM. Check the ordering page for current ordering hours.
Order through Blossom’s own page rather than a third-party app. The cafe receives the full order with no app commission.
FAQ
How many chai flavors does Blossom Chai Cafe have?
The ordering page lists 13 under Chai: Masala Chai, Tulsi Chai, Rose Chai, Ginger Chai, Saffron Chai, Kadak Chai, Cinnamon Chai, Paan Chai, Cardamom Chai, Dubai Pestro Chai, Irani Chai, Pink Chai and Pistachio Chai.
What is Kadak Chai?
Kadak describes chai that someone likes strong, as opposed to halka, a lighter, milkier style. The menu does not describe how Blossom makes it, so ask the staff how strong it is.
What is Irani Chai?
It is the tea served in Irani cafes, the Iranian-style cafes of Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune. Bun maska, bread and butter, is a classic item at those cafes, and Blossom lists Bun Maska too.
What goes well with chai at Blossom?
The ordering page lists buns such as Bun Maska, Bun Jam and Malai Maska Bun, plus street food such as Samosa Chaat, Papdi Chaat and Samosa Bun.
Where is Blossom Chai Cafe and when is it open?
It is at 199 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, phone (669) 249-7176. The website lists Monday to Wednesday 11 AM to 11 PM, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 11 AM to 12 AM, and Saturday 9 AM to 12 AM.
Order your chai at Blossom
Choose a chai by style, add a bun or a chaat, and order straight from the cafe. Ordering direct means Blossom gets the full order with no third-party commission.
