Homemade Chai Tea Latte

Adapted from Whole Living Magazine (March 2011)

I love the taste of chai, but too often it’s sweetened beyond the point of enjoyment for me. When I realized I had all the necessary spices in my pantry, I made my own version that is milky and spicy and just barely sweet.

  • 2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
  • 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
  • 1 whole star anise
  • 1/8 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1-1/2 inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cold filtered water
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 bags black tea (I used Early Grey)
  • 1/2 cup 1% milk
  • Ground cinnamon (optional), for serving
  • Place the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, star anise, black peppercorns, cloves and sliced ginger in a disposable mesh tea bag or a small piece of cheesecloth tied closed with kitchen twine. Add the water to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil with the spice packet. Reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Stir in the honey and vanilla, then turn off the heat.
  • Add the tea bags and allow to steep for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, warm the milk until steaming and whisk until frothy (see tips). Remove the spice sachet and tea bags from the chai mixture, then combine milk and tea into a serving pot. Pour into cups and sprinkle with ground cinnamon, if desired. Serve hot.
  • Quick Tips
  • 1. I used my Aeroccino to do the frothing. It worked perfectly. Another great tool for this is the Aerolatte. Just warm the milk, then use the little battery-operated whisk to froth it up.
  • 2. Nobody else here actually drinks chai tea, so I poured off the tea mixture I needed for one serving then refrigerated the second portion for later. When I was ready to enjoy another (about a half hour later!), I frothed up another dab of milk and added it to the warmed tea mixture.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 2


2 responses to “Homemade Chai Tea Latte”

  1. Samantha says:
    February 15, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Wow – this recipe sounded good but it was delicious. I cut back on the honey a bit and it was perfect!

    Reply

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