Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (2024)


I have approximately thirteen things I need to share with you today. And as usual, they are all scattered around in my head, awaiting their moment to be blogged. The most delicious of which is this homemade chai recipe.

I went to the Farmers Market this past weekend and scored some killer deals, which I will further share in detail with you later on tomorrow. However, while I was there, I also scored some delicious homemade chai.I've been eager to make my own for awhile, but just haven't gotten around to it for one reason or another. Well, at $7 a bottle, I found my reason.Because it was delicious, I had to buy it.

There is something about the sweet, flavorful, smoothness of a homemade chai recipethat just sends a jolt of goodness down my spine. And thus, my body forced me to buy the expensive, but very well packaged, bottle of chai.But then, in my usual “make it at home” tantrum that I throw after a purchase like that, I decided to put the petal to the metal and get to work at brewing my own.

$7 a bottle! Are you crazy!?

So here's what I did.

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (2)

First, I bought my herbs and spices from the health food store (available in bulk): cinnamon sticks, cloves, whole black peppercorns, dried ginger, cardamom pods, allspice berries, nutmeg, and rooibos tea. Per batch, I figured that the spices equated to about $2. Then I got to work on the most amazing homemade chai tea recipe.

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (3)
Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (4)

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe

You will need:
– 6 cinnamon sticks
– 15-20 allspice berries
– 5 cardamom pods
– 15 cloves
– 25 black peppercorns
–2 teaspoon of dried ginger (less if you like it less spicy)
– A wee bit of freshly grated nutmeg (1/8 tsp.?)
– 6 tablespoons of rooibos tea, or 6 rooibos tea bags, or 6 darjeeling tea bags
– 1 tablespoon vanilla
– Sweetener of choice (quantity depending on how sweet you like your chai!) I use 1/4 cupsucanant

Step One: Using a mortal and pestle, or whatever means necessary, gently crack the spices (excluding the cinnamon sticks and ginger). Then, combine the cracked spices, the cinnamon sticks, the ginger, and 6 cups of filtered water in a pot.

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Step Two: Bring the water to a boil and allow it to slowly simmer for 25 minutes.

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Step Three:Strain the tea to remove all the spice and herb sediment. Add the vanilla. Then, mix in your sweetener.Honey would work wonderfully for this, as does rapadura.I found that 1/4 cup of rapadura per batch was just about the right sweetness for my taste. Could this homemade chai recipe be any more delicious? The question was rhetorical. The answer is no.

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Step Four: Store the homemade chaiin yourrefrigerator! Mmm.It's like having a latte stand right there in your fridge, whenever you need one!Note: This is a gallon sized mason jar – to give you an idea of the overall yield.

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So how do you serve this homemade chai tea recipe, you ask?Well, I combine the concentrate and raw milk at a 1:1 ratio.Use slightly less milk if you like a spicier chai.Then, I add a few ice cubes, shake it around, and bam. Iced chai tea latte.

What's that? You want it hot? Easy!Simply combine the milk and the chai together and heat the mixture up slowly on the stove in a saucepan. Then, sip and enjoy.

Seriously.

This might have been the easiest thing I've ever made.

And it cost me less than $2.I could probably even cut the cost more if I bought the spices in larger bulk.

$2 people! That's less than one 12 oz. chai tea latte from Starbucks! And this recipe makes enough for, heck, I don't know how many, a dozen? Depending on what size of glass you use.

Sometimes I make little ones, just as a little pick me up.

Sometimes I make big ones. Because I want to.

Sometimes I make two big ones. Because it's been that kind of a day.

Let me tell you my three favorite things about this homemade chai tea recipe. Actually, four things.
1. It's inexpensive. This saves me from splurging at Starbucks.
2.I get to use an all natural sweetener vs. the sugary syrup that Starbucks uses (no offense, Starbucks).
3. I get to control the spice, and the sweetness, to my liking.
4. I get to use my raw milk vs. the ultra-pasteurizedmilk that Starbucks uses.

And while I do love the Farmers Market, and I do love the wonderful farmers there, I think I'll stick with making this wonderful chai concentrate at home. And now that I've started, I doubt I'll ever stop. What's better than having a lovely mixture of this in your fridge at all times?

Hmmm…

I'll tell you what's better.

A NIKON D70.

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (9)

Booya Grandma. I. AM. SO. EXCITED.

Homemade Chai Recipe

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (10)

for a tasty and inexpensive chai tea

  • 6 cinnamon sticks
  • 15-20 allspice berries
  • 5 cardamom pods
  • 15 cloves
  • 25 black peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoon of dried ginger (less if you like it less spicy)
  • A wee bit of freshly grated nutmeg (1/8 tsp.?)
  • 6 tablespoons of rooibos tea (or 6 rooibos tea bags, or 6 darjeeling tea bags)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • Sweetener of choice (quantity depending on how sweet you like your chai! I use 1/4 cup sucanant)
  1. Using a mortal and pestle, or whatever means necessary, gently crack the spices (excluding the cinnamon sticks and ginger). Then, combine the cracked spices, the cinnamon sticks, the ginger, and 6 cups of filtered water in a pot.
  2. Bring the water to a boil and allow it to slowly simmer for 25 minutes.
  3. Strain the tea to remove all the spice and herb sediment. Add the vanilla. Then, mix in your sweetener.
  4. Store the homemade chai in your refrigerator! Mmm.

For other great meal ideas, no matter what your dietary restrictions, check out the meal planning service I use: Real Plans.

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (11)

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Homemade Chai Tea Recipe - Shaye Elliott (2024)

FAQs

Does chai tea taste better with milk or water? ›

Mellow and Soothing: The milk's natural sweetness tempers the spices' intensity, resulting in a mellow and soothing flavor. This makes milk-based chai particularly appealing to those who prefer a less pronounced spiciness.

What is the ratio of chai tea to water? ›

For a traditional chai, recipes typically call for around 1.5-2 teaspoons of chai blend per mug and then steeped in one-part milk to 2-4 parts water. Some prefer to steep the tea in water and add the milk after. For a stronger chai taste, you can skip the milk entirely.

What makes chai so good? ›

It's fair to say that the most traditional and well-known Chai tea blend always contains sweet fennel, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom seeds and pepper, which gives us our authentic Chai Latte!

Should you add milk to chai tea? ›

Chai is traditionally brewed with milk in India but that's the great thing about Real Chai, you can brew it the way YOU like it. It contains only spices and tea, so if you prefer not to use milk simply leave it out for a delicious black tea version. I personally love to use Soy Milk in my chai over dairy milk.

How long should you brew chai? ›

Add 2 tsp of tea directly into the pot. Add 1 cup of hot water and simmer gently for 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to steep and mingle. As chai is a mixture of spices as well as tea, the longer infusion time helps the herbs to properly steep.

What kind of milk is best for chai? ›

While whole milk is traditional for chai, you can really use any milk you like. Switch it up with non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy, or make your chai a little lighter with skim.

What is the healthiest milk for chai tea? ›

Almond milk

It is thinner in texture than cow's and soy milk – so it's best reserved for hot chai. It's also low in fat and is a good source of powerful antioxidant vitamin E.

What can I add to chai tea to make it taste better? ›

We also love using nut milks to create interesting flavor profiles, like chai tea lattes with almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk. Lastly, sweeten up your cuppa with honey or sugar, and sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top for a finishing touch.

Can you drink too much chai tea? ›

Excessive chai consumption can sometimes lead to digestive discomfort for certain individuals. The strong compounds in tea, like tannins and caffeine, can irritate the stomach lining and lead to issues like acid reflux, indigestion, or an upset stomach.

How do you thicken chai tea? ›

Bring the tea to a rolling boil and simmer on a medium heat until the tea turns dark, for 2 mins. Simmering helps the tea to thicken. I usually simmer until it reduces to 1¾ cups. Fresh holy basil (tulsi) or mint leaves can also be used for variations.

Why does my chai not taste good? ›

You must use black tea which has the strength to hold its own with the spices--green tea won't do. Also, interestingly, chai must be sweetened to bring out the flavor of the spices - chai is not very good unless it is sweetened.

Why does my chai taste bad? ›

Tea-to-water ratio

According to general guidelines, 3 grams of loose-leaf tea should be used per 8 ounces of water. Using too much tea can result in an imbalanced taste with excessive bitterness due to the over-extraction of tannins. On the other hand, using too little tea can lead to a weak and watery flavor.

What's the difference between chai tea and chai tea latte? ›

Chai Tea vs Chai Latte – The difference

Chai tea is a loose-leaf style tea brewed in hot milk, usually with some honey or sugar to sweeten it up. While Chai lattes are often made with either a soluble powder or a syrup imitating a chai flavor. Chai latte is a lot sweeter than chai tea.

Is brewed chai tea healthy? ›

Some of the health benefits of chai tea include: Boosting the Immune System: Chai tea is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to boost the immune system and prevent various diseases. The spices in chai tea, such as ginger and cinnamon, are known for their immune-boosting properties.

Is brewed chai tea good for you? ›

Chai tea is a fragrant, spicy tea that may help boost heart health, aid digestion, and help with weight loss. You'll get the most health benefits from your tea by opting for a minimally sweetened version. In many parts of the world, “chai” is simply the word for tea.

How do coffee shops make their chai? ›

Most cafes that offer chai lattes don't actually brew the tea themselves, they make them by adding powdered tea to steamed milk. There's nothing wrong with this method.

Can you brew chai in hot milk? ›

How do you make a good chai tea. Unlike many teas, chai tea (as it is called by Westerners) is traditionally made by brewing the chai tea in milk, not hot water.

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