Description
Homemade chai latte delivers rich Indian spices blended with smooth milk and cooling ice. Creamy layers create perfect refreshment for tea enthusiasts seeking authentic flavors without complicated preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Darjeeling tea bags
- ½ vanilla pod, sliced lengthwise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 cardamom pods
- 6 cloves
- 1 tsp (5 ml) black peppercorns
- 2 cm (0.8 inches) ginger, peeled and sliced
- 40 g (1.4 oz) coconut palm sugar
- 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) hazelnut milk
Instructions
- Spice Infusion: In a saucepan, combine water with whole cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns, allowing the aromatic blend to harmonize and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Extracting Essence: Bring the spice-laden liquid to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, coaxing out the intricate nuances of the carefully selected spices for 10 minutes.
- Tea Integration: Remove from heat, steep tea bags for exactly 3 minutes, then discard, ensuring a robust tea foundation that captures the essence of traditional chai.
- Sweetening Ritual: Dissolve coconut sugar completely into the warm mixture, creating a balanced sweetness that complements the spice profile.
- Refining the Concentrate: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, removing whole spices and producing a silky-smooth chai concentrate with vibrant, layered flavors.
- Chilling and Blending: Refrigerate the chai until thoroughly chilled, then combine with hazelnut milk, whisking to create a creamy, harmonious beverage.
- Serving Technique: Fill glasses with ice, pour the chai latte over, garnishing with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired, and enjoy the refreshing, spice-infused creation.
Notes
- Spice Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality whole spices to ensure a rich, vibrant flavor profile that elevates the entire chai experience.
- Precise Steeping Time: Watch the clock carefully during tea and spice steeping to prevent bitterness and achieve a perfectly balanced chai concentrate.
- Strain Thoroughly: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove all whole spices, guaranteeing a smooth, sediment-free beverage.
- Chill for Depth: Allow the chai concentrate to cool completely in the refrigerator, giving flavors time to meld and intensify for a more complex taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Breakfast
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 113
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg