Chai Tea, the Indian word for tea, is identified in North America as a sweet, spicy brew often combined with milk and sweetener. The more authentic term in India is "Masala chai," as this is the actual Indian beverage. Traditionally, chai is made by adding a variety of spices, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, anise, peppercorn, ginger and fennel, to a black tea brew. The final stage of chai manufacture is to add the mixture to milk and then add a sweetener. In India, sugar is the preferred sweetener. U.S. manufacturers, however, usually use honey, sugar, fructose, or a combination of all three. Many U.S. companies also experiment with the base, using green tea or herbals rather than black tea, and they vary the spice levels depending on the desired flavor. Most opt for sweet over savory spices.