Let's talk chai, shall we? And let's start at the very beginning, with a question a lot of people ask.

What is chai?

Traditionally, chai is a combination of black tea, honey and spices -- a combination that comes with a long and storied history. While it originated in India thousands of years ago, it has also been a well-loved drink in American coffee shops and restaurants for a long time.

Its ubiquity on beverage menus across the nation means that customers have specific expectations for what chai should taste like -- and that those expectations can vary dramatically because there are so many variations on that standard combination of black tea, honey and spices. While there are infinite twists on the ingredients, ratios and preparation methods for chai, choosing the right chai drink for your drink is about meeting your customers expectations and offering them a consistent experience. Here’s how you can do that.