Is Chai Ultra Spice Tea Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the raw data of a product to determine its safety profile. For Chai Ultra Spice Tea, the formula is surprisingly clean regarding allergens. The core ingredients are Black Tea, Natural Chai Flavours, Cinnamon, Ginger Flavours, Cardamom, and Clove.

Gluten is a protein found in specific grains, primarily wheat, barley, and rye. None of these grains appear in the ingredient list. Furthermore, the flavorings used are listed as 'Natural,' which in the context of tea manufacturing usually implies extracts from the actual spices rather than grain-based carriers. While cross-contamination is always a risk in manufacturing facilities, the specific formulation of this tea relies on botanical ingredients that are naturally devoid of gluten.

It is also important to note what is not in the tea. There are no thickeners, malt extracts, or modified food starches derived from wheat. Therefore, from a formulation standpoint, the product is compliant with a gluten-free diet.

Nutritional Value

While the gluten-free status is confirmed, the nutritional profile is equally important for daily health tracking. A standard serving of Chai Ultra Spice Tea is very low in calories, typically containing less than 5 calories per cup if consumed without additives. It contains zero fat and zero protein.

The primary concern for health-conscious consumers is usually added sugar. This tea blend itself contains no added sugar; however, the 'Natural Flavours' can sometimes carry a trace of sugar as a carrier. If you are drinking the tea plain, it fits easily into low-carb, Keto, and diabetic meal plans. The spices, such as cinnamon and ginger, also offer antioxidant properties, which can contribute to overall wellness.