This homemade chai tea recipe is great hot or cold! It’s wonderfully spiced flavor is so satisfying. Put the the chai spice blend in a Weck jar and you have an easy gift idea, too!
This time of year, I love cozying up on the couch with a good cup of chai tea. The blend of warming spices and fresh ginger make it perfect for the cold weather. Iced chai during the day is very refreshing and easy to grab on-the-go.
I have to admit I’ve never made my own chai because you need to have all of the different spices on hand so I usually use a store bought blend. But Cate, the lovely lady who kindly helps me out, had an idea to make some incredible homemade chai tea kits to give away as gifts this year.
It’s simply all of the delicious ingredients and spices you need in a small Weck jar to make a wonderful chai tea.
The only ingredients that need to be added are the milk (almond milk tastes the best!) and water. Since there is fresh ginger, it should be used within a few days.
How To Make This Homemade Chai Tea – Step By Step
- Combine the spices, water, milk and brown sugar (everything except the tein a medium pot and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat, cover and let it sit for 30 minutes. Return to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the black or green tea leaves.
- Cover and let stand for 8 minutes. Then remove the tea bags.
- Place a sieve over a pitcher or jar.
- Pour hot tea into the sieve to strain.
- Serve tea hot or let cool and serve iced. You can leave it in the fridge too.
What Is Chai?
Chai (pronounced as a single syllable and rhymes with ‘pie’) is the word for tea in many parts of the world. It is a centuries-old beverage which has played an important role in many cultures.
Chai from India is a spiced milk tea that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. It is usually made up of:
• rich black tea
• heavy milk
• a combination of various spices
• a sweetener
The spices used vary from region to region and among households in India. The most common are cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper. Indian chai produces a warming, soothing effect, acts as a natural digestive aid and gives one a wonderful sense of well being.
It’s difficult to resist a second cup!
Benefits of this Homemade Chai Tea
Chai has proven health benefits that make this drink not only tasty, but also good for your health. Whether you’re looking to protect heart health and prevent disease or simply want to boost your immune system and alleviate aches and pains, chai tea has something to offer.
chai tea contains about one third the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee and about one sixth the amount of a strong cup of coffee.
That means you can consume several cups of chai tea a day without the negative side effects associated with several cups of coffee. You’ll still get the stimulant effects and can tackle even the longest days.
Like many teas, chai is excellent for regulating digestive systems and keeping your gut healthy. The spice in chai tea that is largely responsible for digestive health benefits is ginger. Ginger aids digestion by improving circulation and delivering oxygen to organs so they can perform optimally.
If you’re looking to build a healthy immune system, drinking a few cups of chai tea every day can help you achieve your goal. Cardamom has been a staple of Tibetan medicine for centuries and it contains high doses of vitamin C and other nutrients that keep your immune system healthy
Homemade Chai Tea – Caffeine Free Option
A good alternative for those cutting back on caffeine should substitute Rooibos for black tea in recipe (makes it kid friendly too!)
Rooibos tea is gaining popularity as a delicious and healthy beverage. Consumed in southern Africa for centuries, it has become a beloved drink around the world
It’s a flavorful, caffeine-free alternative to black and green tea!
Top Tips For Homemade Chai Tea
- You can keep your spices in a Weck jar, can also make a lovely gift!
- Substitute regular black tea for Rooibos, for a caffeine free option.
- Make sure to strain your tea before serving.
- You can have this chai tea hot or cold.
Check Out These Other Delicious Tea Recipes
How To Brew The Perfect Cup of Tea
Simple Turmeric Tea Recipe by Meghan Telpner
Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Tea by JJVirgin
If you have tried this Homemade Chai Tea or any other recipe on Sugar and Charm, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
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Homemade Chai Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 1/4 cups organic almond milk, cow or soy
- 1/4 cup organic dark brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks, brake them in half to fit into the jar
- 16 cardamom pods crushed, place in a small bag and crush them with a rolling pin
- 1 star anise clove
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 2- inch piece fresh ginger, sliced thin
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 4 tea bags black, we used darjeeling tea bags
- 4 tea bags Pg tips, type of tea
Instructions
- Combine the spices, water, milk and brown sugar (everything except the tein a medium pot and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat, cover and let it sit for 30 minutes. Return to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the black or green tea leaves.
- Cover and let stand for 8 minutes. Then remove the tea bags.
- Place a sieve over a pitcher or jar.
- Pour hot tea into the sieve to strain.
- Serve tea hot or let cool and serve iced. You can leave it in the fridge too.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Art & Lemon. It makes one jar
angel swanson says
Yummy and beautiful idea! Everything is prettier in a Weck jar!!
Emma says
This is such a goof idea for tasty tea for the cozy evenings at home 🙂
Anisa badat says
Hi. Looking at the chai latte recipe. Excited to try out.
Just wanted to know what is teabags pg tips.