Does Chai Have Caffeine
If youre using black tea, yes. If you prefer non-caffeinated chai, just dissolve the chai mix with hot water and sweetener and complete the directions, and youve got a perfectly spiced chai without the caffeine.
There are also chai tea bags that dont contain black or green tea. Those are non-caffeinated.
Is A Chai Latte Healthy
There are health benefits associated with the spices used in a chai latte recipe, as well as the black tea.
However, pre-packaged chai concentrates, used in coffee houses and sold in stores, usually have a lot of sugar added.
Controlling the sugar content is one reason I like to make my own homemade chai concentrate.
What Chai Does Starbucks Use For Chai Latte
Chai is a popular drink from India and Pakistan. It is usually served hot but sometimes cold. Chai is traditionally brewed using black tea leaves and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, pepper, and saffron. In addition to these ingredients, milk, sugar, and honey are added to give the drink its characteristic flavor.
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What Does The Chai Tea From Starbucks Taste Like
Because the chai is prepared using black tea, the beverage does, in fact, contain caffeine. Can you describe the flavor of chai latte for me? It has the flavor of black tea with undertones of spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and others that are used to warm the body. The sweetness and creaminess come from the milk and sugar.
Can I Make It An Iced Chai Tea Latte
Yes, you can make this recipe into the Starbucks iced chai latte. Follow all the recipe directions to make your homemade concentrate, fill a glass with ice cubes and concentrate then top with your favorite milk.
I still prefer the hot version, however the cold version is much better for the warmer months when you dont want hot drinks. You can also add vanilla syrup or vanilla extract to give it more of a vanilla flavor!
I have used a plant-based milk as well as regular whole milk and it does alter the latte taste depending on which milk you end up choosing.
If you wanted to make a skinny version of the homemade chia tea latte, ensure you are using less sugar and opting for almond milk or skim milk!
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Does Chai Tea Latte Taste Like Coffee
How To Make Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Iced
This recipe makes a 16oz iced latte, which is the size of a grande Starbucks chai latte.
You can easily adjust it to make any size you want though.
When using Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate, just add equal amounts of concentrate and the milk of your choice.
Most store-bought chai concentrates are the same – a 1:1 ratio of concentrate and milk.
Full ingredients and instructions are available in the recipe card below, but here is a quick rundown.
And thats it.
A coffee shop quality drink at home in a minute for a fraction of the price.
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Starbucks Copycat Chai Tea Latte Recipe
Chai tea lattes are a delicious blend of creamy milk and black tea infused with sweet, warming, earthy spices. Mixed with a little maple syrup or honey, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy!
Making chai tea lattes at home couldn’t be more easy! They require only a few minutes of hands-on time, and the concentrate can be make a week in advance so it’s practically ready to to grab and go each morning.
I love to sip on iced chai tea lattes as a tasty afternoon treat and pick me-up! I highly recommend adding the sweet cream cold foam, which can also be made in advance.
How To Make The Starbucks Chai Tea Latte At Home:
Start by placing the 2 tea bags in a 12 ounce mug. This is the mug I use, and its actually 10 ounces.
Next, pour 1/2 cup of boiling water on top of the tea bags. Cover with a plate and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
After the 5 minutes, squeeze out the tea bags and remove to the plate.
Add your preferred sweetener.
I personally like to add pure maple syrup, but simple syrup, sugar, honey, or even a vanilla syrup would work as well.
The amount of sugar or maple syrup you use is up to you!
2 teaspoons is the amount of sweetness that I like, but feel free to increase to fit your personal tastes.
Now heres where the magic happens!
First, pour the milk or half and half into your frothing pitcher.
Then add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger to the milk in the pitcher.
You can also add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon or your personal favorite chai spice to boost the flavors even more. Just dont skip the ginger!
Froth the milk to your preferred temperature. I like around 145 degrees Fahrenheit , but you may prefer a hotter latte.
If you dont own a steam milk frother, you can still make some amazing frothed milk at home. I have a video that shows you 8 ways to froth milk if you dont own an expresso machine.
But really quickly, you can use a stick frother , and hand pump frother, or a French press to froth your milk.
Now pour the frothed, gingery, hot milk over the brewed tea and sweetener in the mug.
And there you have a delicious spiced chai latte!
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Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Modifications
One of the most popular Starbucks chai tea latte modifications is to top an iced chai with a fluffy layer of vanilla sweet cream foam. Flavoring a chai latte with vanilla or pumpkin spice syrup also tops the list of customer favorites.
In fact, the number of ways to customize a chai tea latte at Starbucks is practically limitless.
This is because all the flavors in Starbucks chai black tea concentrate are easily complemented by many other Starbucks ingredients.
Now, the Starbucks menu only list two chai latte optionsâhot or iced. Plus, theres also a chai tea bag for making a tasty cup of Starbucks hot brewed tea.
But customizing your drink is the name of the game at Starbucks. So heres a look at some of the best ways to modify Starbucks hot and iced chai tea lattes.
Just keep in mind, not all modifications can be ordered via the Starbucks app, so you may need to place your order at the drive-thru or in-person.
Additionally, make note, most modifications will add to the overall price of the drink.
What Is The Difference Between A Chai Latte And A Chai Tea Latte
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Pumpkin Oatmilk Chai Tea Latte
This Starbucks chai latte drink, has two customizations.
First the milk is swapped out for oatmilk. To me, the oat flavor and chai combination are reminiscent of an oatmeal cookie.
Secondly, pumpkin spice sauce is combined with the chai tea.
Make note, however, this is not a dairy-free drink since the pumpkin sauce contains milk.
How to order this drink: Hot or Iced Chai Tea Latte + Pumpkin Spice Sauce. Substitute milk with oatmilk.
To Make A Latte Or Mocha
According to multiple sources on Reddit , Starbucks hot drinks follow a set ratio. For espresso shots, the ratio is 1:2:2that is, tall drinks get one shot, grandes get two, and ventis get two as well. For pumps of syrup, the ratio is 3:4:5, so three pumps for tall drinks, four for grandes, and five for ventis. Americano shot ratios are 2:3:4. To get the exact espresso-to-milk ratio that Starbucks uses, keep in mind that tall drinks are 12 ounces, grande drinks are 16, venti hot drinks are 20, and venti cold drinks are 24. You can foam milk at home in secondsheating it at a low temperature on the stove and using an electric mixer or vigorously whisking it.
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How To Make Chai Tea Concentrate With Tazo Chai Tea Bags
The Tazo tea bags contain the same spices as the Starbucks chai concentrate! Tazo Chai Tea bags contain: Black Teas, Ginger, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Cardomon, Cloves and Star Anise.
To create a simple concentrate we need two Tazo chai tea bags, sugar or vanilla/maple syrup, hot water and some milk of your choice.
All we need to with these, is steep 2 Tazo Chai Tea bags in 1/2 cup hot water for 5-7 minutes.
If you are using sugar instead of syrup then use 1-2 tablespoons. Add it to the hot tea and stir to combine. If you are using maple or vanilla syrup use 1-2 tablespoons. Pour it over your ice and then add in the steeped tea. Top with your milk and enjoy.
The Best Chai Tea Latte Recipe
Starbucks is best known for its coffee-based drinks, but I think the chai tea latte is one of the most delicious ones they offer. And if you’ve ever had it, then you probably could agree.
Seriously, there’s nothing I love more than waking up in the morning and having a hot drink, especially winter time. And, I’m not going to lie, for me, most of the time, that means driving to Starbucks and ordering their chai latte. Yeah, it’s an expensive – and time consuming – ritual.
So, that’s exactly why I decided to try and recreate their chai latte at home! I wanted to start saving myself both time and money.
And, I know I’m biased, but I think it tastes even better than the one that Starbucks makes.
Seriously, it has the ideal blend of spices, and it’s perfectly creamy and frothy. Honestly, it’s so good that I can’t stop making it every day.
Now, in addition to all of that, this Starbucks chai tea latte is made with just 4 ingredients and in just 5 minutes! So, it’s really quick and easy to whip up too.
By the way, if you’re looking for an equally cozy drink, you have to give this Starbucks cafe mocha recipe a try next! And that’s especially true if you love chocolate.
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Homemade Chai Latte Mix
With this method, you get to choose what chai spices you want to add to your chai tea latte recipe. The most common options are cardamom, black pepper, ginger, and star anise. It isn’t uncommon to find cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and even allspice.
As mentioned, though, the main benefit with making your own chai mix is that you can alter the ingredients to your own taste. Select the ingredients that you like the most and add them in a quantity that is suited to your preferences.
Now, technically, you can make a large batch of your own chai latte mix and make it up whenever you feel. For the best flavors, though, you should make it in smaller portions. The flavors of the different spices can fade with time and may not hold up as well when you brew your chai tea latte.
In any case, here is your recipe for your homemade chai concentrate:
Ingredients
- 1 tbs. of black peppercorns
- 1/4 tsp. of ground nutmeg
- 4-inch piece of ginger, sliced
- 5 cups of water
- 4 tbs. of black tea
- 1/4 tsp. of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 tbs. of dark brown sugar
Method
Step 1: Crush the Spices
Using a mortar and pestle, crush the whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, cardamom pods, peppercorns, and ginger. The spices don’t need to be finely ground – simply crush to release flavor and fragrance.
Step 2: Roast the Spices
Step 3: Add Water and Boil Spices
Step 4: Steep the Tea
Step 5: Strain the Chai Black Tea Concentrate
Step 6: Stir in the Final Ingredients
Is Chai Tea Latte Good For You
I know a lot of people are wondering if Chai Tea Latte is a healthy drink. For the most part, the answer to this question will depend on a specific Chai Tea Latte variety you are consuming and how much sugar you use. But because today I am sharing Starbucks Chai Tea Latte, my answer will be connected to this specific drink. So I would say that this Chai Tea Latte is somewhat healthy. The healthy part is the spice-infused tea. The benefits of these spices include their anti-inflammatory effects that can help ease arthritis, prevent and treat nausea, aid digestion, and reduce the risk of heart disease. The unhealthy part is sugar. One 12 oz. cup of the Chai Tea I am sharing with you, contains about 18g. of sugar . I recommend treating this drink as a dessert and consuming it in moderation.
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Starbucks Iced Chai Latte Recipe
Have you ever tried making a copycat Starbucks iced chai recipe? Did its flavor measure up to a barista-made drink?
To help you figure out how to make your at-home recipe be more like Starbucks, let me show you exactly how they make it at Starbucks.
And by exact, I mean the exact ingredients and exact proportions. My daughter is a barista at Starbucks, so this is the real deal.
Starbucks syrup and concentrate are measured by the number of pumps thats squirted into each cup.
Although, the barista may also use the black lines on the cup for measuring, as well. If youve never noticed those lines, now you will.
Since we donât have pumps and lines on our cups at home, I got an empty Starbucks cup and figured out the exact quantities needed.
Is Chai Tea Healthy For You
Chai tea is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which serve to eliminate free radicals in the body and support cellular health, and can even help prevent degenerative illnesses and certain kinds of cancer. Like other forms of tea grown from the camellia sinensis tea plant, black tea is exceptionally high in antioxidants.
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How To Make An Iced Chai Latte:
Now in the warmer months, you may prefer an iced chai latte!
I have a whole post dedicated to how to make an iced chai latte. In that post I included a homemade chai tea concentrate recipe.
But you can also use either the tea bag or concentrate recipe outlined in this post, add some ice cubes, and use cold milk instead of steamed or heated milk.
Super simple and easy!
Is Chai Latte Healthy
I bet you have already heard that some spices are associated with health benefits.
Black tea can also be very good for you. The tea is rich in antioxidants and some studies say it can even lower blood pressure.
However, there are other ingredients that might not be as healthy.
Chai concentrates can be packed with sugar, and thats one of the reasons I like to make it homemade. I can sweeten my homemade version with honey, maple syrup, or a sweetener for cane sugar-free options.
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Is Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Healthy
Starbucks chai tea lattes may taste delicious, but they aren’t exactly healthy. The chai tea concentrate used at Starbucks is loaded with sugar. Grande Starbucks chai tea lattes have 240 calories and 42 grams of sugar!
That’s why I prefer to make my own Starbucks chai tea lattes at home using a homemade chai concentrate that has far less sugar.
Can I Make My Own Chai Tea Concentrate
Yes you can make your own or purchase a premade one. I like making concentrated tea by using Tazo Chai Tea bags. They contain the same ingredients as the Starbucks chai concentrate. Tazo Chai Tea contains: Black Teas, Ginger, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Cardomon, Cloves and Star Anise.
Some of you may prefer making your own spice mix. If so, check out this recipe that uses the same spices as the Starbucks chai concentrate. My method for creating a concentrated chai is is easy. All you need is a Tazo chai tea bag, honey or maple syrup and some hot water.
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How Long Can You Store Your Concentrate
If you don’t brew the concentrate, then you can keep the spices in an airtight container for a couple of weeks, at most. Bear in mind that the flavor and aroma will fade with time though.
In case you want to store the liquid form, it is best not to add sugar right away. Instead, pour the concentrate into an airtight bottle and close tightly. Store in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.