Tea In First, a new Long Island City, N.Y.-based tea company, launched its debut tea: an all-natural, ready-to-drink (RTD) Spiced Chai tea latte. The company aims to settle the debate about which ingredient, milk or tea, should be added to a milk-based tea beverage first. As a result, its new Spiced Chai tea latte starts with tea and then combines farm-fresh milk and natural spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and black pepper, to create a balanced chai with lots of aroma, flavor and creaminess, the company says.

“We are the only company in the country focusing on all-natural, shelf-stable, low-calorie RTD tea lattes made with fresh milk,” said Founder Nishita Mody in a statement. “We wanted to create a modern take on the very traditional Masala Chai while keeping in mind the health consciousness of our consumers.”

The new RTD beverage is designed to meet the needs of a busy lifestyle and is available in shelf-stable packaging for on-the-go consumption. "Traditionally, you'd have to spend time obtaining all the spices and combining them with tea and milk in a saucepan," Mody explained in a statement. "Now you can just go to your local store and enjoy it chilled, or you can heat it up and have a hot cup of chai anywhere in minutes."

Mody also noted that the spiced chai blend is known to boost immunity, promote relaxation, and features antioxidants.

Tea In First’s Spiced Chai tea latte currently is available in natural food stores, patisseries and convenience stores in the greater New York City and Boston areas. It also is available for purchase online.

“This has been a true labor of love for myself and my business partner, Pinank Modi,” Mody said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be offering a unique and healthy tea product to consumers. The initial response has been overwhelming, and we’re looking forward to expanding our market coverage and product line.”

Additional flavors currently are in development, and the company plans to launch a traditional Matcha Latte next.