Selfmade Chai – Barefeet within the Kitchen

There’s nothing – and I do imply nothing – that compares with steeping complete spices and tea leaves to make an genuine pot of aromatic, spicy, candy home made chai.

I’ve loved loads of powdered chai in espresso retailers and I’ve brewed my very own a number of occasions with chai-flavored teabags and mixes. I’m warning you now, when you’ve made actual chai you’ll by no means be as pleased with the opposite variations.

Straightforward Chai

I heard about my brother-in-law’s home made chai for a number of years earlier than it lastly labored out for me to pattern it at their home.

For those who recall, this is similar sister and her husband who launched me to Spanish Cafe con Leche after they visited Spain nearly 15 years in the past. Once they inform me that one thing is scrumptious, I are likely to imagine them.

Now that I’ve had an opportunity to make Jason’s recipe for myself, it most actually doesn’t disappoint. I’ve been making this simple chai in doubled and tripled batches for years now and I really like having a jar or two stashed within the fridge.

Served with a plate of Almond Bars, a steaming cup of chai (or an iced chai latte) turns into a day snack that nobody turns down.

Chai Components

You’ll want the next elements to make this recipe:

• cardamom pods
• complete cloves
• cinnamon stick
• contemporary ginger
• black peppercorns
• bay leaf
• free black tea leaves
• water
• half and half
• gentle brown sugar or honey

Chai Recipe

Place the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger, peppercorns, and a bay leaf in a medium measurement saucepan.

Add the water and convey to a boil. Permit this to boil for five minutes. Take away from the warmth and steep for 10 minutes.

Add the tea leaves and return to a boil. (I like to make use of English Breakfast tea when making chai.) Scale back the warmth and simmer on medium for five minutes.

Add the half and half and the sugar. Stir for a couple of minute, over low warmth, till steaming.

Pour by means of a high quality mesh strainer right into a teapot, mugs, or glasses. Chai might be served heat or chilly. It’s a refreshing deal with when served icy chilly and poured over ice.

Pour any remaining chai combination into small jars to retailer within the fridge. Reheat or take pleasure in chilly, as desired.

The recipe doubles completely and is a terrific strategy to make and preserve a number of days value of morning chai able to drink with just some minutes of warming on the range or within the microwave.

This can make a terrific soiled chai with a shot of espresso within the morning. For those who choose espresso, strive including a beneficiant splash of the chai combination to your subsequent cup.

Selfmade Chai Latte

Questioning find out how to flip this chai recipe into a wonderfully frothed heat or iced latte? It’s simple as pie. (Really, it’s an entire lot simpler than that, as there isn’t any pie crust making concerned right here!)

Merely froth the milk or half and half earlier than pouring it into the steeped chai focus. I’ve used this frother each day for nearly ten years now when making my morning espresso and it really works nice for chai lattes too.

For extra home made drinks which might be higher than the espresso store, strive the ever-popular London Fog or an Iced Brown Sugar Espresso.

Italian Cream Liqueur is a favourite across the holidays and I typically make it and present it to associates. Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a superb match for a splash of that cream liqueur.

You can also make Vanilla Coffee Syrup at residence, utilizing just some frequent elements and no preservatives or synthetic flavors. It takes lower than 5 minutes to stir collectively the syrup and it tastes higher than any store-bought choices.

initially revealed 1/20/13 – recipe notes and pictures up to date 6/22/23