The Fresh Chai Co. is a premium Australian manufacturer of handcrafted sticky chai blends made from certified organic ingredients. Based in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the company is renowned for its artisanal approach to blending whole spices, premium teas, and raw honey to create richly flavorful and aromatic chai that preserves the traditional essence of masala tea.
Company Background
Founded by Adam Donoghue, The Fresh Chai Co. was established with the mission of producing the freshest and most authentic chai possible using locally sourced and organic ingredients. Dissatisfied with the availability of commercial powdered chai and syrups, Adam began crafting his own fresh blends that quickly gained popularity within the specialty café scene and wellness-focused consumers.
The brand has grown from local farmers markets to a nationally recognized supplier for cafés, health food retailers, and direct-to-consumer channels, while maintaining small-batch quality and ethical sourcing.
Core Business
The Fresh Chai Co. specializes in the production of sticky chai—a blend of brewed whole spices, black or rooibos tea, and sweetened with raw honey or agave, all blended fresh and delivered in a moist, sticky format. This method retains the oils, flavors, and health benefits often lost in dry chai powders.
Product and Service Offerings
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Sticky Chai Blends:
- Original Fresh Sticky Chai: Assam black tea, whole spices, ginger, raw honey
- Masala Fresh Sticky Chai: Richer in sweet cinnamon, star anise, cardamom
- Caffeine-Free Fresh Sticky Chai: Rooibos base with turmeric, ginger, and spices
- Golden Turmeric Fresh Sticky Chai: High turmeric content with black tea and honey
- Chocolate Fresh Sticky Chai: Cacao-infused blend for a mocha-style chai
- Vegan Original Sticky Chai: Sweetened with agave instead of honey
- Caffeine-Free Masala Chai: Rooibos and spice, vegan-friendly
- Spiced Dandy Chai: Herbal blend with roasted dandelion root and spices
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Custom Bulk Supply:
- Tailored for cafés and foodservice with bulk packaging options
- Available in wholesale sizes with long shelf-life when refrigerated
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Direct-to-Consumer Sales:
- Online shop offering pouches, glass jars, gift boxes, and subscription services
- Seasonal and limited edition blends
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Eco Packaging:
- Compostable refill bags and reusable glass jars available for retail
Specialization and Core USP
The Fresh Chai Co. stands out for producing handcrafted sticky chai blends made with fresh whole spices, a technique that is rare in commercial production. Unlike dry powders or syrup concentrates, sticky chai retains natural essential oils and flavors, offering a more potent and aromatic brew.
All ingredients used are certified organic, and most blends are available in both raw honey and vegan agave-sweetened versions, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
Financials and Business Scale
While financial specifics are not publicly disclosed, The Fresh Chai Co. has grown to become one of the leading premium sticky chai brands in Australia, distributed through:
- Over 500 cafés and health food retailers nationwide
- Direct e-commerce via their own platform and health food marketplaces
- Subscription and recurring orders through their website
Industry feedback and web analytics suggest strong revenue growth over the last 3 years, supported by the increasing demand for artisanal and health-oriented beverage alternatives.
Shipment Data
The Fresh Chai Co. ships Australia-wide and supports refrigerated logistics for café bulk clients. Packaging is designed to maintain freshness for up to 6 months under proper storage. The company handles both retail parcel orders and larger pallet-level shipments for wholesale accounts.
Inquiries have also been received from international retailers in New Zealand and parts of Southeast Asia, positioning the brand for future export growth.
Target Market
- Specialty Cafés and Tea Bars
- Health Food Stores and Organic Retailers
- Wellness-Focused Consumers
- Online Shoppers Seeking Subscription or Gift Options
- Herbal and Ayurvedic Beverage Enthusiasts
The brand particularly resonates with customers seeking clean-label, organic, and functional beverages that support wellness, digestion, and relaxation.
Capabilities
- In-house blending and small-batch production
- Sourcing from certified organic spice and tea growers
- HACCP-compliant food manufacturing
- Flexible packaging formats for retail and bulk
- Customer support and POS materials for retail partners
- Eco-friendly packaging solutions
The Fresh Chai Co. also engages in ingredient transparency education, providing detailed blend profiles and health benefits of ingredients to empower buyers.
Certifications and Compliance
- Certified Organic Ingredients
- HACCP Certified Facility
- Australian Food Standards Compliance
- Eco-conscious packaging aligned with sustainability goals
- Cruelty-free and vegan-certified options
Customer Testimonials
The Fresh Chai Co. is consistently praised for quality, flavor, and service:
“This is the freshest, most delicious chai I’ve ever had. The aroma hits you as soon as you open the jar.” – Verified Online Customer
“We serve The Fresh Chai Co. at our café and customers absolutely love it. It's a standout product that keeps them coming back.” – Café Owner, Byron Bay
Major Achievements
- Supplied sticky chai to over 500+ hospitality venues across Australia
- Recognized at local and national artisan food awards
- Featured in Gourmet Traveller, Broadsheet, and The Urban List
- Developed Australia’s first Chocolate Sticky Chai blend with cacao
- Sustainability milestone reached with 100% compostable refill packaging
By staying true to its roots and prioritizing quality over scale, The Fresh Chai Co. continues to elevate the chai experience for Australians—one small-batch blend at a time.
