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   Not all chai lattes are the same. Some are luscious, extravagant experiences of absolute joy and wonder. Others are gut-wrenchingly unsettling––heart-breakingly upsetting on a personal level. It’s a glorious moment when you find a great chai, but receiving an offensive chai can ruin your entire day. At least, it can ruin my entire day. 

Before we discuss the Chai of the Day, here is a brief reminder of What Makes a Good Chai:

• Beautiful color, like golden sand in the Summertime

• A good amount of warm spice flavor

• Sweetness, but not too sweet (think Yankee Candle)

• Not too milky (balanced chai-to-milk ratio)

and

• Creamy body (not watery/thin)

   A perfect chai has most, if not all, of these factors! Perfection is rarely attainable, but miracles do happen. After proper inspection of the chai, the beverage will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10––1 being abominable, 10 being exquisitely perfect, not a criticism in sight. As you read about today’s chai, please keep these parameters in mind.

   Now, onto the good stuff. Today’s chai comes from Remi Flower and Coffee in Midtown Manhattan! As their name suggests, this shop is part cafe, part flower shop! 

   The cafe’s atmosphere is top-tier. As you enter, you are immediately engulfed in a wonderland of beautiful flowers and hip vibes. Bouquets and flower arrangements line the cafe’s walls, adding a vibrancy other cafes frankly lack. The furniture comprises sleek round tables, patio-esque folding chairs, and marble countertops. However, the highlight of the establishment is the large, natural wood table that seats six people toward the back with a large flower bouquet at its center. While the cafe is undoubtedly small, yielding it to an almost claustrophobic feeling when it’s busy, Remi’s gorgeous flowers and sleek yet rustic interior design make up for its smallness. 

   Turning to your right as you enter, you will see Remi’s coffee bar. The bar includes a grey brick accent wall (which I love), potted plants, and, of course, flower arrangements. At the center of the brick wall resides a large “Remi” logo––a circular statement piece with their name written in cursive. Their menu, which includes coffee, tea, and specialty drinks, is mounted on the wall in thin wooden frames. As you line up to order, you will see their case of tantalizing pastries featuring everything from Monkey Bread to Caneles. 

   I ordered my usual: Iced Chai Latte with Oat Milk. Unfortunately, I did not get to try any of their pastries due to my lactose intolerance, but if my immune system allowed, I would have also ordered their Cheddar Scallion Scone. The total came out to $7.08, which is a bit steep for a simple chai latte, but my hopes for a beautiful chai powered me through this financial blow. 

   My hopes skyrocketed once the barista placed my chai before me. The color was beautiful. The chai latte was an enticing light sepia––dark tan, yet not too dark (which would indicate a poor chai/milk ratio). Lifting the lid to get a closer look, I noticed that the consistency appeared a bit thin. I suspected the chai may, after all, have a chai/milk imbalance, but I tried to remain hopeful. 

   I carried my chai over to the large table where my friends awaited me, preparing myself for the fated First Sip. I was nervous, I must admit. While the color was promising, I could not shake the troubling consistency I gleaned moments prior. 

   My first taste confirmed my fears. The chai was thin––too thin. Oat milk overwhelmed my senses as though I was drinking it straight from the carton. The chai flavor was a ghost behind the milk, implications of warm spice and intrigue whispering as the beverage hit my tongue. Sweetness sang louder than chai, contributing to the oat milk’s power. 

   I released a disappointed sigh post-First Sip, staring into the flower bouquet with sadness. However, as I’ve come to know, First Sips can be deceiving. More often than not, a chai latte’s true flavor is discovered as you continue to drink. 

   Unfortunately for Remi, further sips only fortified my disappointment. The chai did not get better as I carried on. It had an overly milky, confusingly dank, and disappointingly spiceless flavor. 

Remi’s chai latte is reminiscent of the leftover milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch you accidentally left out for a day—Milky with the memory of sweet cinnamon delight, yet suspiciously stale. You still drink the milk since it’s still tasty, but it will never be the same as your original bowl of cereal. 

Needless to say, the chai was not great. The chai/milk ratio was imbalanced, making the beverage milk-forward, thin, and borderline tasteless. The only remarkable thing was the color, but that turned out to be a facade. Two of my friends also tried the chai and shared similar sentiments. Additionally, besides the flavor, the presentation left more to be desired. I noticed that patrons with hot drinks received beautiful ceramic mugs while iced drinks were served in plastic cups. Such cups are fine for takeaway, but it would have elevated the experience if iced drinks were served in similar wares, such as glass cups. Even glass jars, Mason or unbranded, would have sufficed. This option would also be more sustainable, especially considering the cafe’s alignment with nature and botanicals.

   Considering these observations, the chai gets a 3.5/10 rating.

   My advice to Remi is to add less milk and more chai, whether that be a concentrate, syrup, or what have you. It needs a more dynamic spice profile––more cinnamon, perhaps a hint of nutmeg, and dare I say, clove or peppercorn. Sweetness also needs to be amped up in careful moderation. 

   Remi Flower and Coffee is a beautiful establishment, rich with cozy vibes and floral adornments. While their chai is lackluster, I can confirm from my companion that their coffee is good. 

   So, if you want to experience the joys of Remi, order a coffee, bring good friends, bask in the flowers, and, above all, avoid the chai latte.