As I've been documenting here for the past several months, when Border's completely switches over to Seattle's Best, the chai is going to (along with the coffee, the pastries, the sandwiches, etc, etc). And this is devastating to me, because there's no other chai like it in the world. The Seattle's Best/Starbucks chai is...well, let's just say it's just not as good.
But there's hope! Ambitious reader Nate has done some detective work. He called the Border's corporate HQ and found out what company makes the chai. It's made by a company called Key Essentials, and they market the chai under the name Mystic Chai, and it can be found in Sam's Club stores around the country. Not sure if it's found anyplace else. Maybe that's the next piece of detective work we can do.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to buy 10,000 cans.
10-30-2006 @3:00PM Rudi said... Oh joy - the Wal-Mart empire is going to be the sole source for this? Ugh. I'm not alone in my distaste for the Walton empire.
Guess I'll keep making my own chai from scratch: easy to do, and soooo tasty.
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10-30-2006 @3:04PM random said... Wow. There's been an abandoned can of that Mystic Chai stuff in my breakroom for ages. I guess I can get a Borders Chai fix in there now. :)
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10-30-2006 @3:16PM Kiwi Carlisle said... I really wish that it was possible to get a chai at these place that's not presweetened, something like Celestial Seasoning's excellent Mountain Teahouse Chai. I like unsweetened chais and a lot of the chais served by coffeehouses, especially Oregon Chai, are much too sweet.
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10-30-2006 @3:23PM Gnat! said... That's awesome! Good detective work!
I don't suppose you have a lead on the old Border's Pumpkin Spice coffee beans? (Especially, you know, given the time of year...)
Starbucks had a pumpkin spice latte and I got all excited, except it was some sickeningly sweet syrup that they squirted into a regular latte. Lame!
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10-30-2006 @4:57PM James said... I've seen it at Smart & Final for those Wal*Mart/Sam's Club haters.
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10-30-2006 @7:14PM Andrea said... I have ranted several times on my blog about the loss of Borders chai, and someone today let me know about this great news. Good work, Nate, and thanks Bob for letting the rest of us know!
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10-30-2006 @9:09PM Robyn said... Kiwi Carlisle: Have you tried the Chai at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf? It's definitely less sweet than almost all the others I've had, but it's also only mildly spicy.
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10-30-2006 @9:20PM Jess said... I totally understand your Borders chai obsession. I've found that Pacific Chai is a fairly easy to find brand that is VERY similarly yummy. It's the only other kind I'll drink. I think it's because these two are more sweet than most chais, which are spicy. Vanilla Chai is the best!
PS Mountain Mudd coffee kiosks also have pretty good chai - not sure what brand they use.
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10-30-2006 @10:39PM Brenda said... Borders chai is still available in some states as not all Borders have gone to Seattle's Best. Key Essentials is located at www.keyessentials.com or you can call them at 949-635-1000 and they will give you local stores that sell their chai. I am looking for the low carb chai they used to carry. If any of you know where that can be found, please let me know.
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10-30-2006 @11:02PM jmchez said... I don't understand the change from Borders' to Seattle's Best. The decor is less cozy and yes, the sandwiches and chai left too.
On rainy days when I didn't feel like coffee, I used to love to get their great vanilla chai. Last time I went there, they gave some sort swill and I asked them to put in a shot of vanilla syrup to approximate the old stuff. Guess what? That didn't work at all.
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10-31-2006 @12:36AM J said... Until recently, I worked at Borders and I got trained in our new Seattle's Best cafe. They do have sandwiches, it's the soups that are gone. We got complaints about the lack of Borders chai from customers, but at the store level, there's nothing we can do after the cafe conversion. They're pretty strict about non SBC products for sale in an SBC cafe.
Leaving the chai aside, I prefer the stuff in the new cafe - better quality food and drinks. The coffee is much better than the old stuff. I'm also an Oregon Chai fan, so there ya go. :) Also, maybe it was just the worn out appearance of our old cafe, but the new one is warmer, and has some comfy chairs. I like it better.
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11-06-2006 @11:32PM Byron said... Thanks to Bob and Nate for digging this up. I bought Mystic Chai at Sam's a few years ago. NOTE - if you do see it, buy more than you need. I found it once in a local Sam's in Winter yet never saw it for the rest of the year! Just saw an ebay sale of a 6 pound bag for $81 (rats - saw it after the offering was closed!).
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11-07-2006 @1:26PM Lindsay said... I also used to work for Borders until a week ago. i Agree it was unfortunate to lose the chai and the old sandwiches. I was also trained in the new Seattles best and i have to agree that it is not nearly as good as the borders cafe. some advice on the chai however. try big train. it tastes exactly the same and it is also a powder. look them up online you can find them
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11-09-2006 @1:44PM Donna Werner said... OMG!!! You have saved my life!!! I have been in mourning ever since Borders switched sides!!! Now I can truly rest in peace.....thank you sooo much, I'm off to Sam's Club.....
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11-14-2006 @2:56PM Maryann said... My cafe still has borders chai. That is, of course, until we turn into seattle's best in feb. If you really want to you, can give me a call at work on a wednesday night. We can ship your order to you. Limited time offer, as we will be changing in feb!! My name is Maryann, my work phone number is 727-723-2300. Good luck, chai fans!
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11-16-2006 @2:31AM Ronald Blythe said... Losing a favorite beverage to outside forces can be frustrating if not devastating. But researching about its origins or recipe might be better than buying the same drink in a different place. You might be able to make it at home. This way you will surely enjoy your drink any time any day. Congratulations on Nate's fine detective work.
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11-18-2006 @8:24PM Byron Van Arsdale said... Just found that you can order 6 cans of Mystic Chai through Amazon.com.
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11-22-2006 @10:56AM David E. (aka chaiisgood) said... Thank you soooooo much! I too have been lamenting the impending doom of Borders Chai, and when a friend of mine sent me a link to this site, I was overjoyed. I'm amazed and encouraged to find so many other devoted Borders Chai fans out there. I'm thinking of throwing a farewell to Borders Chai party at the local Borders down here sometime next year before the switch. Thanks again!
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