Make Chai Latte Tea like a Barista
What is chai latte tea? | Benefits of chai tea | Tips for making chai latte tea | Chai latte tea recipe | Where to buy chai latte tea
Sweet, aromatic, and spicy chai latte tea is taking the world by storm. Originating in India, where it's commonly drunk after meals for its digestive properties , chai latte tea has been gaining popularity in the West, and is now commonly found in almost any coffee shop.
Don't worry, you won't have to search for the perfect chai latte tea at the trendy coffee shop anymore. You can make it at home with spices you probably already have in your kitchen. With these simple tips, you can make a delicious chai latte tea that your guests will love.
What is chai latte tea?
In India, chai simply means tea. In the West, chai has become synonymous with a beverage made with black tea, spices, and milk . Chai latte tea is a version of the most popular chai tea in India, Masala Chai. Masala Chai is typically made with Assam black tea and five basic spices: cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. This tea is best drunk with a little milk.
Chai latte tea differs from masala chai in that we add milk to the spices. Instead of pouring warm milk, frothed milk is added, resulting in a creamier flavor and texture, similar to lattes made with matcha green tea.
Flavor
Chai tea can be prepared with a wide variety of teas, herbs, and spices. Most chai lattes contain cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger. Some blends also include anise and licorice. For this reason, the flavor of a chai latte tea can vary depending on the spices chosen, although it will always be stimulating and very aromatic .
Assam black tea adds body and an earthy flavor , accentuated by the spiciness and spice of black pepper and ginger. The frothy milk provides the sweet, creamy counterpoint that makes chai latte tea a well-rounded beverage.
Benefits of chai tea
The most well-known benefits of chai tea are its ability to boost energy and speed up digestion. However, it has many other health benefits derived from its various ingredients.
Chai tea contains cinnamon and black tea, both of which can help reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels . Cinnamon has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels by up to 30%.
Ginger, present in chai tea, helps increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels . Of course, if you add too much sugar to your chai latte tea, this sugar reduction will be negligible.
Cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper have antibacterial properties that help prevent digestive problems . Black pepper also increases the levels of digestive enzymes needed to properly break down and digest food.
Chai tea may also help reduce pain and inflammation . Clove and ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties that help treat arthritis and muscle pain.
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Tips for preparing chai latte tea
Choosing the ingredients for chai latte tea can seem complicated, as there are so many different spices that can be used to make the mixture. For this reason, we've chosen a few ingredients as the basis for a standard recipe, but we encourage you to experiment and try them out to find your favorite.
The spices
We chose five spices that we consider essential for making a chai latte tea: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and black pepper.
Cardamom has a smoky, warm flavor. We recommend using whole pods instead of seeds for the best flavor.
Cinnamon and vanilla provide a sweet flavor that pairs well with the spicy notes of the other spices. We recommend using whole cinnamon and vanilla pods.
Ginger is another staple spice in chai latte tea, adding the drink's signature spicy flavor. Black peppercorns give the chai latte a warm, full sensation.
Other spices you can safely include are cloves, anise, and licorice.
Use quality black tea
Most chai lattes are made with black tea , specifically Assam or Darjeeling , both native to India . You can use loose tea or tea bags, although loose teas are generally of higher quality. This is because loose teas contain larger, fuller leaves than tea bags.
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Froth the milk
For many people, frothing the milk is the most complicated step when preparing a chai latte tea. However, you don't really need a coffee machine with a whisk or a milk frother. You can simply whisk the milk by hand or in a machine. A very simple trick is to shake the milk before heating it, using a cocktail shaker or a glass jar with a lid.
Chai latte tea recipe
This chai tea recipe makes four cups. Remember that you can add other spices according to your preferences. You can also add more or less milk and sugar to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 small tablespoons of black peppercorns
- 2 vanilla pods
- 5 cardamom pods
- 1 fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 4 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons of loose black tea (or 6 black tea bags)
- 3 cups of milk of your choice (cow, almond, soy, etc.)
You can also use a sweetener, such as cane sugar or honey, although it's not necessary, as cinnamon, vanilla, and milk naturally add sweetness.
Step 1: Toast the spices
Skip this step if using ground spices. Add all the spices except the ginger to a small saucepan. Cook for a few seconds over medium heat, shaking the pan to prevent the spices from burning. The spices are ready when they begin to emit an intense fragrance.
Step 2: Cook the ginger and spices
Pour the water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the chopped ginger and the previously toasted spices. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add black tea and strain
Remove the pot from the heat and add the black tea leaves or tea bags. Cover the pot and let it steep for 10 minutes. Then add your sweetener of choice, stir well with a spoon, and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
Step 4: Froth the milk
In a separate saucepan, heat the milk while stirring with a whisk or whisk. If using plant-based milk, it's best to whisk before heating the milk to achieve a foamy consistency.
Step 5: Serve in the cup and enjoy
Fill a cup three-quarters full with the black tea and spice mix. Top the rest of the cup with the frothed milk. You can add a little ground cinnamon to garnish your delicious chai latte.
Where to buy chai latte tea
You can buy black tea at any supermarket, but if you want quality loose black tea, we recommend purchasing it from a specialty store.
At Replantea , you can find several organic black teas, ideal for making your chai latte tea. You'll also find a pre-made Chai Latte blend, with Assam black tea and selected spices. Simply steep the blend like any other tea and add milk to prepare a perfect chai latte tea in just a few minutes.
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