I’m a coffee drinker. And not the kind that slugs back a cup because they need the caffeine jolt just to function (though, admittedly, I do need the caffeine to function). I enjoy my coffee. It’s a comfort food to me. I don’t need a fancy, frilly coffee drink with a faux-Italian name that is six or seven or eight words long. Just give me a good quality cup of joe with a splash of half-and-half and I’m a happy girl.Sometimes, however, I crave something with a different flavor. I still want my warm comfort in a cup, especially on chilly, overcast days like yesterday. This easy and delicious chai hit the spot. As an added bonus, now that I’ve made up a small container of the spice mix, I can have a warm cup of chai in a matter of minutes!
Homemade Chai Tea
adapted from Sprouts Farmers’ market, Sept/Oct 2009
printer-friendly recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 c. whole or reduced fat milk (I used 1%)
1 c. water
1 tsp. honey or natural cane sugar
2 tsp. black tea, such as Darjeeling
1/4 tsp. chai spice mix (equal parts ground ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
Directions:
1. Place milk, water, and honey or sugar in a medium pot. Bring to a boil and let boil for 30 seconds.
2. Add tea and spice mix. Remove from heat and allow to steep for five minutes.
3. Strain into your favorite mug or cup and enjoy!
one year ago: chunky vegetable soup
two years ago: vanilla kipferl (Austrian almond cookies)
I LOVE Chai tea so much, and it's SO expensive at Starbuck's or other tea places. I will definitely try this recipe! Are you able to buy loose tea at your grocery store? I've never looked for anything other than tea bags. Thanks!
Meghan,I don't find good quality loose tea at my big box grocery store. I'll buy it at specialty/gourmet stores, Whole Foods, or TJ's. Hope this helps!
Kelsey, Thanks for posting this. I'm going to have to try it. I wasn't having a lot of luck making one-pot chai at home, so I've been brewing the tea and spices in the water and heating the milk and honey separately, only combining them after the tea already looked like tea. This sounds much simpler. Next task: figure out a way to froth the milk without a cappuccino machine….P.S. I use unsweetened soy milk.
Kate,I think you can buy frothing wands at stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I've never used them, so I can't vouch for their quality, but it might be worth checking out!
I LOVE Chai!!!-Amywww.singforyoursupperblog.com