Have you seen a chai latte on the menu of your local coffee spot and wondered what’s in it?
Or why is an iced chai latte featured at a coffee house when traditional chai recipes don’t even contain coffee?
If you’ve thought about trying chai but have been mystified by the hype, today’s post is for you!
I’ll explain this popular drink in detail and give you a few ideas for upgrading the original or even whipping up a batch yourself at home.
Ready? Let’s get to it!
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What is chai?
Traditionally speaking, chai is a combination of warming spices and black tea blends.
Hailing from India, the word “chai” means “tea” in Hindi, but the drink has many regional variations.
Today’s chai lattes, featured on menus across the United States, contain black tea, spices, milk, and some type of sweetener.
The drink can be served either warmed in a mug or in a glass poured over ice.
How long has chai been around?
Chai has been around for thousands of years in various forms and contains all different types of spices.
It’s still incredibly popular in India where you can find vendors on all corners in larger cities specializing in this traditional hot beverage.
Why is chai so popular?
One reason why chai is so popular is that it’s hailed for its healing properties.
In fact, it’s likely that the drink was originally developed as a form of early medicine.
Made correctly with the addition of spices, the drink is the perfect balance of sweetness with warming spices and offers a host of health benefits.
Depending on the spices included, chai has been said to improve digestion, blood sugar control, and brain function.
Thanks to its antioxidants, chai may also improve overall cardiovascular health and even reduce the risk of some types of cancers.
An added bonus is that between the soothing spices and warm, frothy milk, the chai latte is the epitome of comfort in a mug!
Can you make chai at home?
Absolutely!
After some trial and error, I’ve developed a homemade chai concentrate that’s better than anything you can find in a coffee shop.
It also contains just the right amount of sweetness with way less sugar than you’ll find elsewhere.
What’s in a chai latte?
One of the best things about traditional chai tea lattes is that you can customize the drink to your individual taste.
Tea
Plain black tea is used most frequently as the base for this specialty drink.
When whipping up a batch at home, I often reach for caffeine-free black tea but experiment with English breakfast or even green tea.
You could also try a flavored tea as it may add some depth to the complexity of the spices.
I generally use bagged tea, but you could also use loose leaf tea, especially if you’ll be straining the concentrate, as suggested below.
Spices
Chai is nothing without its vibrant blend of spices.
My version contains a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and ground cloves.
I use ground spices for ease of use, but you could also use whole spices, including fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and even cardamom pods.
Some recipes call for black peppercorns; however, I generally forego this particular ingredient.
Milk
There are more varieties of milk on the market today than ever before in human history, so feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
Traditional chai recipes contain whole milk, but you can substitute any type of milk to suit your tastes.
Creamy oat milk is my favorite when making my chai latte at home, but almond milk adds a hint of sweetness that blends nicely with the spices.
Sweetener
You also have many options for sweetening your homemade chai latte.
I generally use simple syrup flavored with vanilla extract; however, you can also use maple syrup or honey to add the drink’s signature hint of sweetness.
Changing up the flavor syrups is a fun way to add variety to the traditional recipe.
You can also buy premade flavor syrups or make your own sugar-free versions using Stevia.
The possibilities are endless!
Homemade Chai Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1-3 tsp sweetener of your choice simple syrup, honey, maple syrup, etc.
- 3/4 cup your favorite milk
Instructions
- Combine the spices in a small bowl. If you have a spice grinder, grind them together for a finer consistency. If you don't have a spice grinder, no worries! You can also strain the concentrate after soaking to remove the larger spice particles (see step 3).
- Combine the boiling water, tea bags, and mixed spices in a bowl. Allow the tea to steep for at least 10 minutes for a robust tea flavor.
- When done steeping, remove the tea bags. If you didn't finely grind the spices in the beginning, you may want to strain it through cheesecloth to remove larger spice particles. Simply line a strainer with cheesecloth and position it over a bowl. Pour the homemade chai concentrate through the strainer.
- Grab your favorite mug or glass and fill it halfway with the chai concentrate. Add the sweetener of your choice. If you want an iced chai latte, fill your glass with ice cubes before adding the chai concentrate.
- If you like a drink with more body, froth the milk before adding it. For a hot chai, simply add the chai and your desired kind of milk to a saucepan. Gently warm over medium-high heat until it reaches your desired temperature.
- Enjoy!
What are some of the most popular (and tasty!) chai upgrades?
The traditional Starbucks chai latte has seen many different flavor upgrades over the years.
Other coffee shops have followed suit and offer fun seasonal takes on this traditional beverage.
Some of my favorites include:
- Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai
- Golden Eagle Chai
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
- Dunkin’ Iced Chai
- Raspberry Chai
- Vanilla Spice from Dunkin’
- Dutch Bros Christmas Morning
As you can see, chai lattes are as versatile as espresso-based lattes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does chai have caffeine?
Tea generally contains caffeine, however, in lesser amounts than the caffeine content of coffee.
If you want to avoid insomnia, choose caffeine-free black tea when making a chai latte at home.
How much sugar is in a Starbucks chai tea latte?
According to their website, a plain grande chai tea latte contains 42 grams of sugar.
For reference, the American Heart Association recommends a maximum of 24 grams (6 teaspoons) of sugar for women and 36 grams (9 teaspoons) of sugar for men.
But by making your own versions, you can significantly cut added sugar without sacrificing taste.
You can also opt for sugar-free syrups as an easy way to decrease your daily sugar consumption.
Does chai contain coffee?
Traditional chai does not include coffee, but you can order a dirty chai latte at most coffee shops, which contains a couple shots of espresso.
Can you get an iced chai?
Yes! Chai is great hot or iced.
Is chai good for you?
Black tea and spices contain antioxidants that are thought to promote health.
The reported benefits of chai include promoting cardiovascular health, decreasing the risk of certain cancers, balancing blood sugar, and improving certain brain functions.
Certain types of milk also have health benefits, including healthy types of fat and promoting bone health.
These benefits are enhanced when you make the drink at home, use real versions of each spice, and limit the amount of sugar you add.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this post has inspired you to take a second look at the humble chai tea latte, not as a boring alternative to a regular latte but as a drink with a rich history and an array of health-promoting benefits.
As with most drinks from traditional coffee shops, watch out for all the added sugar typically found in these drinks. In most cases, the sickeningly sweet taste isn’t worth the crash you’re sure to experience an hour after finishing it.
Thanks to this easy recipe, you’re well on your way to a tasty drink that won’t put you into a diabetic coma!
And if you’re looking for something with more coffee beans and fewer tea leaves, check out my other coffee-inspired content!
- How to Make a Dreamy Caramel Cold Brew with Chocolate Cream
- How to Make a Refreshing Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
- Should You Try Putting Olive Oil in Coffee?
- Best Copycat Recipe for an Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte
- How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte
