Homemade Chai Latte
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Homemade Chai Latte
This homemade chai latte simmers black tea with whole spices and milk for a warm, spiced cup that bottled mixes cannot match. Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves steep right into the milk, so every sip carries the flavor all the way through. It takes about 15 minutes and makes two mugs. Sweeten with honey or sugar to taste and finish with a little froth on top.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 black tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose black tea
- 4 whole green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 thin slices fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, to taste
Directions
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer 5 minutes.
- Add the tea and steep for 3 minutes off the heat for a balanced brew, or longer for a stronger one.
- Pour in the milk and return to a gentle simmer. Do not let it boil over.
- Stir in the honey or sugar until dissolved. Taste and adjust.
- Strain into two mugs and serve hot. Froth the milk first if you want a foamy top.
Tips and variations
- Lightly crush the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick before simmering to release more flavor from the whole spices.
- Use a strong black tea like Assam so the spices do not overpower the tea.
- For an iced chai latte, brew it stronger, let it cool, and pour over ice with cold milk.
- Make a spice concentrate ahead. Simmer the spices and tea, strain, and keep the liquid in the fridge for up to 4 days, then heat with milk to order.
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Common questions
- Can I use ground spices instead of whole
- Yes, but whole spices give a cleaner flavor and strain out easily. If you use ground, start with about 1/4 teaspoon each and expect a cloudier cup.
- What tea works best for chai
- A robust black tea like Assam or English Breakfast stands up to the spices. Avoid delicate teas, which get lost.
- How do I make a dairy-free chai latte
- Use oat milk for the creamiest result, or almond or soy. Oat froths well and keeps the latte rich.
- Can I make it less sweet
- Start with 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar and add more to taste. The spices already bring plenty of flavor on their own.
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