What is Chai Tea?

Chai tea is a rich and complex beverage that has been savored for centuries in many parts of the world, especially India.

In its most basic form, chai is black tea that is brewed strong with a combination of spices and is diluted with milk and sugar.

The spices vary from recipe to recipe, but usually consist of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper and ginger. Chai tea is traditionally consumed hot and sweet. The sweetness is needed to bring out the full flavors of the spices.

How to Make Chai

Here is a simple recipe to make chai yourself at home. This is what you will need:

• 1 1/2 cups of water

• 1 1/2 inch stick of cinnamon

• 8 cardamom pods

• 8 whole cloves

• 1/4 inch fresh ginger root (sliced thin)

• 2/3 cup of milk

• 6 teaspoons sugar

• 3 teaspoons of Darjeeling Tea leaves

Place water, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger in a pot and bring to a boil.

Cover and lower heat to low setting and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add milk and sugar and again bring to simmer.

Next, add the tea leaves, remove from heat and cover.

Let steep for 3 minutes and strain. Enjoy!

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Ready to Brew!

These ready to brew teas are already spiced and in bags or available as loose leaf. This is my preferred method because most of the time I just don't have time to brew from scratch.

For an authentic tasting cup with spices that make your tastebuds scream for more, you should try this Kashmiri Chai. I love how you can buy a small sample or buy in large quantities.

Easy to Make Chai Tea

For those times when you just want to add hot water, here are some recommendations. For the ultimate in convenience, try the powdered chai. Big Train Spiced Chai is one of my favorites. All you have to do is add hot water or milk.

The next is an even easier method. This is a liquid chai concentrate and all you need to do is to add milk and heat. Here is a great tasting Tazo® Organic Chai Tea  Tazo is the brand of tea served in Starbucks and I think it's actually quite good.

Chai Latte

I just love a good chai latte! A chai latte is just the spiced tea mixed with milk that’s steamed from an espresso machine. I love the soft foamy texture the steamed milk adds to the chai.

You can get these at coffee houses, or if you can make them yourself if you have an espresso machine. I have detailed instructions on steaming (or frothing) milk in the coffee section of this site.

You can follow the above directions just don’t add the milk. This makes a strong tea. Then add the steamed milk straight from the espresso machine.

Practice to make velvety steamed milk and use fresh ingredients. This will insure that you make the perfect chai tea latte.