Have you ever had five precious minutes to yourself? Well, when we do, we keep it simple: we brew a cup of homemade chai tea and savor the silence. Our chai tea is filled with cozy spices like black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar and vanilla. It’s the perfect companion for those short moments of peace.
What is Chai Tea?
Let’s break it down. The word “Chai” comes from Hindi and means tea, which itself is derived from the Chinese word “cha.” So, chai simply means “tea.” However, when most of us talk about chai tea, we’re referring to a spiced and sweetened black tea mixed with a good amount of milk.
Does chai have caffeine? Yes, it does. Our version uses strong black tea, but if you want a caffeine-free option, you could use decaf tea bags. However, you’d miss out on the afternoon pick-me-up from a strong, sweetened black tea.
Chai Tea Ingredients Simplified
Wondering what’s in chai tea? Our homemade chai has cozy spices. Check your spice stash or the store for these:
- Black tea
- Fresh ginger
- Orange zest
- Cinnamon stick
- Cardamom pods (or seeds)
- Star anise
- Whole cloves
- Black peppercorns
- Ground nutmeg
- Vanilla bean (or extract)
- Brown sugar
How to Make Chai Tea Easily
Chai tea is great because you can make it just the way you like it. If you want it spicier, add more pepper. If it’s too sweet, use less sugar. Our chai tea recipe is perfect as is, but feel free to adjust it to your taste. You can enjoy it warm on chilly mornings or iced on sunny afternoons.
Here’s how to serve it:
- Hot: Perfect for cold days, it warms you up from head to toe.
- Cold: Great for reminding you of warmer days ahead.
For a delicious chai latte, mix equal parts chai tea concentrate and milk. Enjoy!
Items Needed for Making Chai Tea
- Saucepan (preferably medium-sized, like the glass one we inherited from our grandma).
- Strainer (a versatile tool in our kitchen).
- Favorite mug (we love using a beautiful mug, such as the one from Notary Ceramics in Portland, for a better tea experience).
Chai Tea Concentrate
Enjoy a cozy and delicious chai tea concentrate with the right balance of sweetness and spice. It’s a comforting drink that will give you the perfect pick-me-up for your day.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 12 black tea bags
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 10 whole cardamom pods or 60 cardamom seeds
- 3 whole star anise pods
- 20 whole cloves
- 20 whole black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 vanilla bean or 2 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil.
- Add tea bags, spices, and vanilla bean (or add extract later). Remove from heat and steep for 15-20 minutes for your preferred strength.
- Strain and add brown sugar and vanilla extract if using. Stir well.
- Mix ½ cup concentrate with ½ cup any milk. Heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Keep refrigerated. Enjoy for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Drinks
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 55
