Not all chai is created equal. Some come pre-sweetened in powdered form. Others brew slowly on the stove with whole spices and tea leaves. In this post, we’re putting two popular options to the test — Arkadia Chai Tea Spice, the go-to instant blend from cafés and supermarkets, and Mixed Bag, a sticky chai handcrafted in Melbourne. Which one deserves your loyalty?
What Is Arkadia Chai?
Arkadia Chai is a sweetened, instant tea powder made in Melbourne by Arkadia Beverages. It’s easy to find, easy to prepare, and wildly popular in cafés across Australia.
Just add hot water or milk, stir in 2–3 teaspoons of Arkadia Chai Tea, and you’ve got a creamy drink that hits the cinnamon-latte spot. Ingredients include glucose syrup solids, vegetable fat, milk solids, instant black tea, flavours, and other processed ingredients like maltodextrin, emulsifiers, and stabilisers.
Yes, it’s fat free and contains no artificial colours, but it’s far from natural. Think of it as the café equivalent of a chai-flavoured milkshake.
What Is Mixed Bag Chai?
Mixed Bag Chai is made differently — and it shows. It’s a sticky chai: a rich, spiced blend of whole black tea leaves, aromatic spices, and light natural sweeteners like honey.
It’s not instant. You brew it, either on the stove or by steeping in hot milk. But once you taste it, the difference is obvious. It’s deeper, fuller, and more like a traditional Indian chai tea.
Mixed Bag is also a Golden Leaf Award winner — a respected recognition in Australia’s tea scene. It’s small-batch and crafted and blended in Australia.
Instant Powder or Real Brew?
If you’re in a hurry, Arkadia’s signature brew is ready in seconds. That’s its strength — speed and consistency. It’s great for high-turnover cafés, or if you’re making iced chai on a warm day.
But if you’ve got five minutes and care about what’s in your cup, Mixed Bag offers something better. It’s brewed, not scooped. You’ll taste the black tea base, the chai spice, the cardamom. It’s not flavoured. It’s real.
Taste Comparison: Sweet or Spiced?
Arkadia is creamy, heavily sweetened, and mild. If you like your chai with lots of milk and sugar, this fits the bill. It’s indulgent — and some would say, comforting.
Mixed Bag takes a different route. The flavour comes from whole spices, not additives. It’s got that bold, spiced warmth — a chai that lingers. You’ll taste cinnamon, ginger, clove, black pepper — not just sugar.
Ingredient Breakdown
What you’re drinking matters. Let’s look closer.
Arkadia Chai Tea Spice contains:
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Sugar, glucose syrup solids, instant tea (4%)
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Milk solids, emulsifiers, lecithin
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Maltodextrin, flavourings, and anticaking agents
Mixed Bag contains:
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Loose leaf black tea
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Whole spices (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove)
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A dash of natural sweetener (usually honey)
One comes from a tin. The other looks, smells, and tastes like it came from a spice market.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Arkadia Chai Tea Spice | Mixed Bag Sticky Chai |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Instant powdered blend | Sticky loose-leaf chai |
| Preparation | Just add hot water or milk | Brew or steep |
| Ingredients | Sweeteners, flavourings, additives | Whole spices, black tea, honey |
| Vegan options | Not vegan (contains milk solids) | Yes (vegan blend available) |
| Time to make | 30 seconds | 5 minutes |
| Award-winning | No | Yes (Golden Leaf Awards) |
| Taste profile | Sweet, creamy, mild | Spicy, aromatic, brewed |
| Artificial sweeteners | Yes | No |
| Best for | Café-style chai latte | Real chai experience |
| In-store availability | Yes (supermarkets, cafés) | Mostly online |
So... Which One Comes Out on Top?
If your top priority is convenience and you love a sweet café-style chai latte, Arkadia Chai gets the job done. It’s quick, creamy, and reliable.
But if flavour and real ingredients matter — if you care about the aromatic spices in your brew — then Mixed Bag is in another league. It’s a sticky chai with heart, and it tastes like it.
Try Mixed Bag Chai for yourself and see why more Australians are making the switch from powdered to brewed.
FAQs
Where is Arkadia Chai made?
In Melbourne, Australia, by Arkadia Beverages. It’s sold widely in supermarkets and cafés.
Does Arkadia contain sweeteners or preservatives?
Yes. It includes glucose syrup solids, milk solids, flavourings, emulsifiers, and stabilisers.
Is Mixed Bag better for flavour?
If you like bold spice and brewed tea, yes. Mixed Bag uses real ingredients and no artificial additives.
Can I make iced chai with either?
Both work. Arkadia is quicker. Mixed Bag can be chilled after brewing and tastes great over ice.
Is Mixed Bag vegan-friendly?
Yes, they offer a vegan sticky chai blend made without honey.