What Spices Are In Chai
Chai Tea is made out of a blend of black tea, ginger and a few other warming spices with high nutrients.
- Cardamom kinda tastes like cinnamon but with a musky smoky note
- Cinnamon for sweetness and overall immune health
- Ginger for a spicier note to the chai and aids in gut health and immune health
- Fennel gives a gentle anise or licorice note
- Black Peppercorns gives the chai a spicy hint
- Star Anise can give a deeper licorice flavor, I love the smell of star anise
- Cloves high in antioxidants and helps regulate blood sugar levels
Chai Tea Latte Starbucks
Most people in the U.S. have their first chai latte experience in a coffee house like Starbucks.
This is how Starbucks makes their version:
Black tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming spices is combined with steamed milk and topped with foam for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Starbucks Website
While the chai tea latte Starbucks makes is fine, I like to make my own because then I can control the sweetness, type of milk I use, and the overall calorie count of the drink.
Chai Tea Latte At Home
There is truly nothing better than a warm and spicy chai tea latte. Weve been ordering them at local coffee shops with almond milk or oat milk and they are just so yummy.
Since chai tea lattes are made with black tea, this morning drink does contain a bit of caffeine. But, in this post, well teach you how to add even more caffeine to get that morning jolt you know and love.
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Easy Vanilla Chai Tea Latte Recipe With Tea Bag
Enjoy an easy vanilla chai tea latte recipe with tea bag in about 15 minutes. This recipe is so easy and quick, and you’ll save a lot of calories.
Fancy coffee house drinks are a bit of a weakness for me. A few years ago, I would get a cup one or more times a week when I was out. If I was out without kids, you could almost guarantee that I’d be stopping at the locally owned coffee shop in town before I headed to the store.
As much as I love my drinks, I couldn’t keep buying them. They are expensive, and they are full of calories and sugar. I’ve been making my own skinny versions at home, and the taste is amazing.
You guys loved the pumpkin spice latte without coffee recipe that I posted last month, so today I’m bringing you this skinny vanilla chai tea latte recipe.
I wanted a recipe that was fairly easy, quick, and didn’t require any special equipment . After playing with the ingredients for a little bit, I think I’ve found just the right recipe.
Like most of my recipes, I’ll give you a few options of ingredients to use. You can use your favorite milk and sweetener.
Want a decaf drink to enjoy after the kids go to bed? You can easily make this a decaf drink with a decaf tea so you won’t be up all night.
Trust me, you will never miss the calories or carbs in this easy vanilla chai tea latte recipe with tea bag!
Is Chai Latte Coffee Or Tea
Chai is tea. In fact the word chai literally means tea in many parts of the world. In China, where tea originated, the word for tea is pronounced like cha.
So when you order a chai tea latte, you are in fact saying tea tea latte. And that doesnt make much sense.
The real name of this drink, with its roots in India, is actually masala chai, which means mixed spiced tea. However, most menus in American coffee shops call it chai latte.
Be sure and take a look at my homemade masala chai recipe if you want to make this authentic hot chai latte at home.
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What Is A Chai Tea Latte
The chai tea latte originated in India. In India, the word chai translates to tea. So yes, calling this drink a chai tea latte is technically saying tea tea latte But since most of us in the Western world order chai tea lattes when at the coffee shop and thats what we search for online when wanting to make a chai latte at home, were going with it.
Traditionally, a chai tea latte is a combination of tea and milk. The homemade chai tea latte recipe were going to make today, and what most of us recognize as that classic chai latte taste, is called masala chai: a blend of tea, milk, and spices .
So To Make A Pitcher I Boiled 8 Cups Of Water On The Stove Top And Added 8 Chai Tea Bags
How to make iced chai tea latte. The coffee chains dont want you to know just how easy it is to make. Just scoop 4 perfect spoons (approx. Hands down use the tazo chai classic tea!
You can make your own homemade masala chai tea with black tea and spices. I poured the cool chai tea mix into a pitcher and put in the fridge overnight. So, the latte version may not exactly be super healthy, but its not a big splurge either.
Add 4 pumps of chai concentrate directly into the cup Whats more, powdered chai latte mix makes a terrific mason jar gift. 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk.
Yes, and making hot masala chai latte during rainy days are the best. Steep the tea bags, chai spices and maple syrup for 30 minutes. Just fill a jar up with the chai latte blend and perhaps decorate it with a ribbon and label.
Most importantly, be sure to include an instruction tag with directions on how to make a cup full of chai latte using the mix. Combine the honey and water in a small glass container. Instead of feeling deprived of a delicious chai latte, i make my own homemade version, and they are excellent.
How to make iced chai latte the bulk of this iced chai latte recipe is actually just making the chai concentrate , which can be made 2 weeks ahead of time. Stir to mix and let sit overnight. It is a little weaker in taste so you would need to double strength your tea before adding milk to it.
Starbucks Iced Chai Latte Recipe in 2020 Chai latte
Iced Chai in 2020 Chai tea latte recipe
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Does Starbucks Have A Skinny Iced Chai Latte
Now that you see how Starbucks makes an iced chai latte, you may be wondering if your barista can make it skinny.
A skinny Starbucks drink is made with:
- Non-fat milk
- Sugar-free syrups
- No whipped cream
Unfortunately, Starbucks no longer has a low or no sugar version of their chai concentrate. Although, store brands like Tazo have reduced sugar versions.
So if you order a skinny iced chai latte, the best a barista can do is use non-fat milk. Just beware, the concentrate still has plenty of sugar in it.
Since this drink does not have whipped cream, thats not an issue.
The Best Tea For Chai Latte
Loose-leaf black tea is best for brewing chai for lattes. Ideally, it is made with an Assam or Ceylon tea, but English Breakfast or other black tea blends work wonderfully too. Loose-leaf tea is generally of a higher quality than bags, with large pieces and less dust, which can lead to bitter or tannic tea. Since we have to strain out the spices before making our chai latte anyway, bagged tea would be no time-saver here.
That being said, if bagged black tea is all you have on hand or is one you particularly love, then by all means, use it! Youll want six bags for each batch of chai.
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Tea : How To Make A Tea Latte
Some things are harder than theylook. Take, for example, the perfect tea latte. Even if youre a wiz with thecoffee equivalent, making a mouthwatering tea version can be tricky whats the best tea? The right amount of loose leaf?The perfect steep time?
Guess no more. Were here to show you just how it should be done. Craving an iced latte instead? We got you. Head over to our Iced Latte post for insider tips on the best brews and techniques for the ice cold version.
Ready for something warm and insanely satisfying? Read on to find out how to make a tea latte at home.
The best teas for a tea latte:
How To Create Frothed Milk The Easy Way
Check out this froth! Not sure if you can tell from the photo, but it is truly voluminous. And this is almond milk!
So far, Ive had good results frothing almond milk and dairy milk. As you saw in my other chai tea recipe, the coconut milk doesnt get nearly this poofy.
In recent years, a flurry of at-home milk frothing gadgets have become super popular, luckily for you and me. Basically, you pour your milk into this little machine, top it with a lid, and push a button. Just a couple short minutes laterboom! Frothed milk. Sweet!
The milk frother I used to get this amazing foam is no longer available online. Luckily, there are lots of good options out there. Ive researched online and found some options you may enjoy that also have high reviews:
- Capresso Froth PRO Automatic Milk Frother on Target (4.7 out of 27 reviews at the time of research
Happy frothing!
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What Is Chai Tea
The weak tea that North Americans typically drink has the colour of dirty dishwater, almost no flavour, and no need for sugar . It is nothing close to the version drunk by millions of Indians.
Indian tea, also known as chai, is rich and milky, deeply coloured, steaming hot, and boldly flavourful with a definite need for sugar to offset the toasty bitterness.
The word chai just means tea. Chai = tea.
If you ask for chai tea in India, youre asking for tea tea and your dorky adorableness will get laughed at a little bit.
Masala chai, on the other hand, is what youre probably aiming for its the spiced version. Masala = spices.
Despite what Starbucks would have you believe, real chai doesnt start with a syrup and its not super heavily spiced. If you visit India, youll see chai-wallas on every corner, calling out chai! chai! chai! and pouring steaming tea from a height , allowing it to cool a bit as it streams into little metal cups.
Whenever my husbands parents visit, his mom makes me a steaming cup of her most delicious homemade Indian chai every morning. I start looking forward to it before I even go to bed at night. It is the tastiest tea you have ever tasted and I could drink a hundred cups a day.
Granted, she really likes my tea, too, so I have a theory that it just tastes better when someone else makes it for you, with love.
How To Make Chai Tea At Home
A recipe is not really necessary its really the method that matters.
Youll need roughly one part milk to two parts water, lots of tea leaves or tea bags, strong infusion, plenty of sugar, and optional addition of sweet spices.
Heres how to make Indian chai tea at home:
Scale the measurements below to the number of servings you need.
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How To Froth Milk For Any Latte
Youve brewed, spiced, and sweetened your tea, and now you must froth your milk unless youd rather have a classic cup of chai rather than a chai latte. The problem? You dont own an espresso machine or a frothing wand. Luckily there are three clever ways you can froth your milk for lattes.
Whisk it: You can vigorously whisk your milk while heating it on the stovetop, which weve written into the directions below. This method works best with 2% dairy milk and coconut milk.
Blend it: You can also froth the milk with an immersion blender before heating the milk in a saucepan on the stovetop. This method is best for non-dairy milks, like soy or almond milk, but also works with coconut milk, whole milk, or 2%.
Shake it: The other method is to shake the milk in a jar and then heat the milk post-frothing. This method works especially well with whole milk and nut milks.
Ingredient Notes And Shopping Tips
- Tea: I like using black tea for flavor, but you can use another variety if you wish! Black tea does have caffeine in it, so just keep that in mind. Depending on the tea you use it will usually be under 50 MG compared to 100 MG in a typical cup of coffee.
- Milk: Starbucks uses 2% milk. The higher fat milk you use the creamier it will be. I prefer whole milk.
- Ground Ginger: Make sure all ground spices are 6-12 months old or less for optimal flavor. I like to mark the bottom of my spice jars with a sharpie with the date I opened them.
- Cinnamon: You can grind your own cinnamon using cinnamon sticks and a grater for a more powerful flavor. You can also use a cinnamon stick as a fun stirrer.
- Allspice: Contrary to popular belief allspice is not a blend of spices. It is a small peppercorn-sized spice that comes from the allspice tree. It has a warm slightly spicy flavor similar to cloves.
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How Do You Make Chai Tea Latte From Scratch
FRESHTIP | Since vanilla beans have become so expensive, easily substitute 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.
FRESHTIP | Spray the measuring cup with a little bit of spray oil, your honey will slide right out.
If you get impatient , gently pull back the coffee filter and allow the mixture to go through the sieve, gently rocking it back and forth.
Refrigerate any unused portion until ready to use, lasts up to 7 days refrigerated.
When ready, pour out desired amount and warm on stovetop or my favorite way is to place in a frother and heat until silky smooth, with a lovely head of frothed milk.
Does The Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Contain Syrup
Regular chai tea latte does not contain syrup. It is usually chai tea concentrate and milk.
The syrup is an additive such as vanilla syrup in vanilla chai tea latte, or you can have a classic syrup added to your drink. I would, however, say that the chai concentrate is usually presweetened with cane sugar or honey.
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How To Make Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
1. Pour the Tazo Chai Tea Latte Base into a serving cup.
2. Warm up the milk on a stovetop or in a microwave until very hot. Froth the milk .
3. Pour the milk into the cup with Chai Tea Base. Garnish with ground cinnamon if desired. Serve.
RECIPE NOTES:
If you prefer a very hot Chai Tea, add the Tazo Chai Tea Base to the milk, and heat it up together, until it reaches the desired temperature. Then froth.
Some of the dairy-free milk alternatives, don’t froth well, so your cup won’t be full, since the foam is missing. Use 4 oz. of Chai Tea Base and 8 oz. of milk in this case.
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Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte
If iced chai latte is your Starbucks drink of choice, you may be disappointed when you try to whip it up at home and it doesnt taste like the one your barista makes.
Something is off, but youre not sure what.
Afterall, you used a chai concentrate, milk and ice just like Starbucks.
If you ever wondered how to make iced chai latte taste like your beloved Starbucks drink, Ill give you a few insider tips.
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Heres How Starbucks Makes A Grande Iced Chai Latte
There are only three ingredients in a Starbucks iced chai latte:
Directions for a grande iced chai latte
- Add 4 pumps of chai concentrate directly into the cup
- Add milk up to the third black line cup marking
- Fill the cup with ice and give it a swirl to mix
Now, take a careful look at the photo below.
Notice that the four pumps of concentrate comes up to the first clear line on the cup.
I did a little experiment to see how much liquid it takes to get to that line and its cup.
Next, Starbucks baristas add milk up to the third black line on the cold cup. To get from the clear line to the third black line takes an additional 1 cup of liquid.
Finally, fill the remaining space with ice. A quick swirl of the cup mixes the ingredients together nicely.