I love chai tea, and I always have. Bold, sweet, and spicy, this milky chai tea recipe is my version of the traditional Indian tea drink that has swept the world over with joy. That might sound like a bold statement, perhaps, but I think I can pretty much safely say it at this point. You would be hard pressed to find any coffee or tea shop that doesn’t offer a hot milky chai as one of their menu options!
What is chai tea?
Chai tea originated in India (apparently 5000+ years ago), and it is a blend of various spices and black tea mixed with milk and sweetened with a bit of sugar or honey. I have been aware of it as a means of hospitality, a drink for comfort, and just a popular hot tea beverage.
What are the spices in chai tea?
In this recipe, I use a combination of star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, black and white peppercorns, and cardamom.
What can I add to chai tea?
I have seen chai in various forms and with various names; and pretty much, as far as I can tell, if you want to add anything to chai tea, it will need to suit your own personal preference! Here are a few ideas:
- If you like it more spicy: Try steeping your tea a little longer, or adding a little extra black peppercorn to your tea.
- If you like it more sweet: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your own preference!
- If you like it with chocolate: Whisk in a little bit of your favourite chocolate or cocoa to the hot milky chai mixture (keeping chocolate additions very minimal, so as not to overpower the tea).
How is authentic chai tea made?
Chai tea is made by brewing black tea with a number of whole spices until the mixture is quite strong. The tea is then made smooth and mellow with the addition of hot milk. You can also make this tea into a concentrate or syrup in order to prepare it ahead of time, adding hot milk fresh when you serve it.
How to make a chai tea concentrate or syrup
Follow the recipe below, stopping just before adding the milk. If you are making syrup, sweeten the mixture to your liking with sugar or honey, and store it in the refrigerator until use.
How to make a chai latte
Prepare your chai concentrate or syrup as noted above. Heat, and then top with hot, frothed milk (making the ratio about 50/50 concentrate and milk). Serve, and enjoy!
This is my milk frother if you need a recommendation (I LOVE this one because you can put the glass base into the microwave to heat your milk, and the froth pump works quickly, easily and effectively.
What is the best part about this chai recipe?
Honestly, in addition to being completely delicious, it’s the SMELL. When you make this tea, your whole home gets enveloped in the most incredible smell, and I honestly can’t recommend tying it enough.
To make this chai, you will need:
- Star anise
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Allspice berries
- Black peppercorns
- White peppercorns
- Whole cardamom pods
- Black tea leaves
- Sugar or honey
- Tea ball
- Medium heavy bottomed saucepan
- Stirring spoon
- Serving cups
Chai Tea
This simple homemade chai tea recipe is made with whole spices, black tea, and milk. While it does take a little more work than just steeping a bag of chai tea, the smell and taste of this chai is well worth the extra steps!
Ingredients
- 1 star anise
- 2 med. cinnamon sticks
- 10 whole cloves
- 6 whole allspice
- 6 white peppercorns
- 5 black peppercorns
- 2 cardamom pods
- 2 heaping teaspoons black tea
- 3 c. water
- 4 c. whole or 2% milk
- 1 Tbsp. sugar or honey or to taste
Instructions
-
Combine spice and water in a medium pot; bring to a boil, then remove from heat and allow to steep, covered, for 5 minutes.
-
Bring the mixture back to a boil, add the tea (I put mine in a tea ball), remove from heat and allow to steep for 15 minutes longer.
-
Add the milk and heat through; strain into a clean pot, heat the mixture for a few minutes more, and add sugar or honey to taste. Ladle into cups and serve.
Recipe Notes
Note:
This recipe is not very sweet; I added only enough honey to mine to make the sweetness complement the spices. If you like yours a little sweeter, add more sugar or honey.
Some other great tea recipes:
- London Fog
- Cardamom Tea Latte (see my instagram recipes @naomicakesofficial)
That’s it for today! If you make this recipe, make sure to leave me a note in the comments or tag me in your photos on Instagram at @naomicakesofficial!
Thanks for stopping in; I’ll be back soon!
Naomi
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