Hermès Chai vs. Biscuit: What's the difference?

Choosing a neutral Hermès color is a difficult decision, and two of the most sought-after options are Chai and Biscuit. While both are sophisticated shades of beige, they differ primarily in their undertones, Chai is a cool-toned milky beige with grey undertones, while Biscuit is a warmer, honeyed beige with golden undertones. This small distinction creates a completely different look, pairing better with different hardware, palettes, and personal styles.

Here’s everything you need to know about Hermès Chai and Biscuit to decide which timeless neutral is right for your collection.

Hermès Chai

Introduced in Spring/Summer 2021, Chai quickly became a favorite for its modern and nuanced character. It's a complex beige that evokes the color of a milky spiced tea, shifting beautifully in different lighting. Its cool, slightly grey undertones make it an incredibly versatile and chic choice that feels contemporary and subtle.

• What it is: A light, cool-toned beige with distinct grey and milky undertones.
• Key features: Its chameleon-like quality allows it to read as a soft beige, a warm grey, or a creamy nude depending on the environment and what it's paired with.
• Popular Leathers: Commonly found in Togo, Clémence, and Epsom leather. In Togo, it has a matte, relaxed feel, while in Epsom it appears sharper and more structured.
• Hardware Pairings: Pairs exceptionally well with Palladium Hardware (PHW), which enhances its cool undertones. It also creates a soft, classic look with Gold Hardware (GHW).
• Pros: Highly versatile and modern, pairs with both cool and warm palettes, easy to style, sophisticated yet understated, rising in popularity.
• Cons: As a newer and popular color, it can be difficult to get an offer for in a desired bag style. Its complex undertones can look very different in person vs. online photos.

This color suits collectors who want a chic, modern neutral that's different from the standard beige or grey and pairs well with silver or platinum jewelry.

Shop Hermès leather goods: hermes.com/us/en/category/women/bags-and-small-leather-goods/

Hermès Biscuit

Biscuit is a classic Hermès warm beige that has been around for years, aptly named for its resemblance to a perfectly golden-baked cookie. It is a rich, inviting neutral with clear golden and honey undertones. Unlike cooler beiges, Biscuit has an undeniable warmth that gives it a luxurious and timeless appeal, making it a staple for lovers of classic color palettes.

• What it is: A warm, mid-toned beige with golden, caramel, and honey undertones.
• Key features: An established, classic color that is warm and inviting without being overly orange or yellow. It provides a rich look that feels both neutral and substantial.
• Popular Leathers: Often seen in Togo, Clémence, and Evercolor leather. It gains a deep, rich appearance in grained leathers and looks particularly buttery in smoother leathers like Swift.
• Hardware Pairings: Considered a perfect match for Gold Hardware (GHW), which amplifies its warm, golden tones. Palladium Hardware (PHW) offers a nice contrast for a more contemporary feel.
• Pros: A timeless and classic Hermès shade, exceptionally rich and luxurious appearance, pairs beautifully with autumnal colors and gold jewelry, less trendy and more of a permanent staple.
• Cons: Can sometimes be mistaken for other Hermès colors like Gold or Caramel in certain lighting. Its warmth makes it slightly less versatile with cool-toned wardrobes (like grays and stark blues).

This color is perfect for those who favor a classic aesthetic, wear gold jewelry, and have a wardrobe filled with warm creams, browns, and camels.

Shop Hermès leather goods: hermes.com/us/en/category/women/bags-and-small-leather-goods/

Hermès Chai vs. Biscuit Comparison

Color & Undertones

The fundamental difference between Chai and Biscuit lies in their undertones. Chai is unequivocally a cool beige. Its base is softened by milky grey hues, giving it a modern, almost serene quality. In direct sunlight, it can appear as a light beige, but in shadow or indoor lighting, the grey tones become much more apparent, making it a true "greige." Its complexity is its main appeal.

Biscuit, in contrast, sits firmly in the warm beige camp. Its undertones are golden honey and caramel, giving it a rich, warm, and inviting glow. There is no grey to be found in Biscuit's composition. When placed side-by-side, Chai looks significantly cooler and more muted, while Biscuit appears sunnier and more golden.

Hardware Pairings

Hardware makes a significant impact on the final look of both colors. Chai is a natural fit for Palladium Hardware. The cool silver tone of PHW complements the grey undertones in Chai perfectly, creating a sleek, elegant, and cohesive look. Gold Hardware with Chai offers a softer, more classic combination that warms it up slightly.

Biscuit is a classic match for Gold Hardware. The warm GHW against the golden tones of the leather creates a harmonious and incredibly luxurious look that is quintessentially Hermès. Pairing Biscuit with Palladium Hardware, while less common, provides a striking contrast that gives the classic color a more modern edge.

Versatility & Styling

Both colors are very versatile, but they shine with different palettes. Chai is a true chameleon that pairs beautifully with a modern wardrobe. It works perfectly with black, white, greys, denim, navy blues, and pastel shades. Because its undertones are muted, it doesn't clash with much and acts as a sophisticated anchor to many outfits.

Biscuit is the star of classic and warm-toned wardrobes. It looks incredible with cream, ivory, browns, camel, olive green, and autumnal colors like rust and burgundy. It’s the perfect accessory for someone who wears a lot of gold jewelry and prefers an earthier, warmer color scheme.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Chai and Biscuit are beautiful and functional neutrals, but they cater to different styles and preferences.

Choose Chai if:

• You prefer cool-toned colors and wear a lot of silver or platinum jewelry.
• Your wardrobe is built around black, grey, white, and blue hues.
• You want a modern, chic neutral that is understated yet complex.
• You are looking for a color that can transition seamlessly from day to night.

Choose Biscuit if:

• You gravitate towards warm, rich colors and primarily wear gold jewelry.
• Your wardrobe features lots of cream, brown, olive, and other earthy tones.
• You are looking for a truly timeless, classic tan that will never go out of style.
• You love a rich and luxurious aesthetic created by pairing a warm color with gold hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Hermès Chai and Biscuit?

The main difference is the undertone. Chai is a cool, milky beige with visible grey undertones. Biscuit is a warm, golden beige with honey and caramel undertones.

Which color is more popular?

Chai has seen a huge surge in popularity since its recent release, making it one of the most requested neutrals currently. Biscuit is a long-standing classic that remains consistently in demand for its timeless appeal.

How does Chai compare to Etoupe?

Etoupe is another popular Hermès neutral. Compared to Chai, Etoupe is a darker, more saturated greige (grey-beige) with strong brown undertones and signature white contrast stitching. Chai is much lighter, milkier, and a truer beige-leaning neutral.

How does Biscuit compare to Gold?

Biscuit and Gold are both iconic warm browns from Hermès. Gold is a deeper, richer tan-brown with more noticeable orange and brown undertones, often likened to the color of a classic saddle. Biscuit is lighter and more of a true beige with golden, honeyed notes.

Is Chai a seasonal color?

While introduced in a Spring/Summer collection, Chai has proven so popular that it is now considered part of the regular rotation of colors offered, though availability always depends on production schedules.

Which hardware looks better on Chai vs. Biscuit?

Generally, Chai is favored with Palladium Hardware (PHW) to enhance its cool tones, while Biscuit is considered a perfect match for Gold Hardware (GHW) to bring out its warmth. However, both colors look beautiful with either hardware choice.

Do Chai and Biscuit hold their value on the resale market?

Yes, both are highly sought-after neutral colors that command excellent prices on the resale market. As neutrals, they have wide appeal and are considered sound investments, especially in popular models like the Birkin or Kelly.

Are these colors difficult to get at an Hermès boutique?

Yes. As coveted neutral colors, receiving an offer for a bag in either Chai or Biscuit at a boutique can be challenging and typically requires a strong purchase history with the brand.