Do you love the delicious taste of chai lattes from your local coffee shop? Wondering how to achieve the same frothy goodness in the comfort of your own home? Our tea experts are here to teach you how to make the best tasting chai latte recipe with our unique blends of chai; informing you a little bit about the origins of Masala Chai along the way. Ready to take a deep dive into the world of chai? Keep on reading to find out more!
WHAT IS MASALA CHAI?
Masala Chai is a unique blend of black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices, such as organic cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and various other herbs. Originating in the Indian subcontinent, chai has gained worldwide popularity with the addition of frothed milk, becoming colloquially known as a âchai tea latte.â The word "chai" ultimately originated from the Mandarin Chinese word for tea - è¶ chĂĄ. So, if you happen to say, âChai tea latte,â youâre actually saying, âTea tea latte.â
HOW CAN I MAKE CHAI LATTE AT HOME?
Making a delicious chai latte at home is easier than you might think. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or a milk alternative like almond or oat milk)
- 2-3 teaspoons of loose-leaf Inland Iced Chai, White Cap Chai or Pumpkin Harvest Chai
- Sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup) to taste
- Optional spices like cinnamon sticks or star anise for added flavor
- Optional garnish: ground cinnamon or nutmeg for sprinkling on top
Instructions:
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Boil Water: In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. If you're using whole spices like cinnamon sticks, you can add them to the water to infuse the flavor.
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Add Chai Tea: Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add your chai tea leaves or tea bags. Cover and let it steep for about 5-7 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the chai flavor will be.
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Heat Milk: While the tea is steeping, heat the milk in another saucepan or microwave it until it's hot but not boiling.
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Mix Tea and Milk: Strain the steeped chai tea into a cup or mug. Then, pour the hot milk into the same cup, stirring as you pour to combine the tea and milk.
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Sweeten: Add your sweetener of choice to taste. Start with 1-2 teaspoons and adjust to your liking. Stir until the sweetener is completely dissolved.
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Optional Garnish: If you like, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top for extra flavor and a pleasing aroma.
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Serve: Your homemade chai latte is ready to enjoy! Serve it hot and savor the comforting blend of spices and creamy milk.
Feel free to adjust the proportions of tea, milk, and sweetener to match your preferences. You can also experiment with different spices and flavorings, such as cloves, cardamom pods, or even a touch of vanilla extract, to create your unique chai latte recipe.
Enjoy your homemade chai latte in the comfort of your home, and don't forget to pair it with some cookies or pastries for the full cafe experience!
