Something is becoming popular in the West; it’s a great spice milk tea from India called chai. More and more people are discovering it at coffee and tea houses everywhere.
The ingredients of chai have healthful benefits. It is commonly prepared by boiling loose leaf tea and adding milk, sweetener, and various spices depending on personal preferences. In India where chai tea originated, chai is more popular than coffee. Just like many other tea , there are different versions of the tea, which has been a staple there for hundreds of years. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, morning or evening, summer or winter. Also available are instant chai mixes and chai concentrates that just require milk to be added. Soy milk is a great substitute for the whole milk and cream that traditional chai tea recipes call for especially for the vegans and lactose-intolerant. Low-fat versions are also popular for less calories.
Method of preparation:
- Boil water with sugar, molasses, or honey with one or more spices including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn, cloves, nutmeg, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, licorice, or saffron.
- Add the tea and milk/soy/cream and simmer a bit longer
- Strain and serve. The key to making good tea is to leave the tea leaves in the boiling water long enough, but not so long that the tea is bitter. If you’re a bit intimidated, check out this recipe for a dry mix for instant chai tea that you can keep on hand for those frequent chai tea emergencies, and also a great gift for any tea enthusiast.
If you’re looking for great tea recipes including traditional chai, search online for quick and easy variations of spiced chai tea that you can make at home.