Chai Latte - What is it?

[mbg963 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mbg963]

Ok, I have no idea what a real one tastes like but tried the powdered stuff in a packet. The packet stuff was ok (just) but ingredients list looked a bit nasty so I figure the real deal has to be much better. I quite liked the taste and seems like it might make a good night cap.

How do I make one at home?

[lucinda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lucinda]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

I have no idea and have never had the courage to try one. Most of the ones I see in shops have syrup added to them.

A proper chai tea has a mixture of spices added to black (formosa) tea. Depending on what part of India you are from these can range from one spice - my friend used cardomom, to a blend of 8-10 spices including cinnamin, black pepper, orange peel etc etc.

So I hate to think what is in those syrups.

[Wushoes Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wushoes]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Its a mixture of spices...many chais have different recipes. According to my boss, she prefers chai syrup rather than the powder stuff. It is very sweet and the syrup is very sweet smelling. tried one and chucked it out....cant handle the sugary-ness

[Boldor Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boldor]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Matt G,

Found this site that outlines a simple recipe for Chai Latte http://www.2basnob.com/chai-tea.html

[g00se Member Find all posts View Profile Close g00se]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Have a look in specialty tea shops, they should sell it in loose leaf / whole spice form. Then all you have to do is simmer gently in milk (for latte), and add sugar to taste.

If there are no tea shops around you, you might be able to find it at DJs et al.

It really is a nice calming drink for late at night.

[Thundergod Sleep is overrated Find all posts View Profile Close Thundergod]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

If all you want is a nice calming drink then traditional chamomile will do the job.

[lucinda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lucinda]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Here is my chai recipe that I was taught by an Indian friend many years ago. It is very basic.

equal quantities milk and water
the seeds from 1-2 cardomom pods (depending on quantity of milk/water)
1-2 ts sugar (depending on taste)*
1 ts black tea leaves per person.

Place milk, water and cardomoms in a saucepan and bring to boil. Remove from heat and leave to steep for 5-10 minutes.

Bring back up to a simmer and add tea leaves and simmer a few minutes until the tea has tinged the milk brown. Add sugar* to taste and strain into a tea pot or jug for serving.

*You can leave the sugar out for people to add their own sugar. Individual servings do not need much sugar as the milk actually brings out the sweet flavours of the cardomom.

[mbg963 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mbg963]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Thx for the replies. I want to try and make a decent chai latte at home so will start with the bags and them raw ingredients. The syrup doesnt sound all that great as I hate overly sweet drinks.

I found some Chai tea bags here at the office and tried one. Not too bad, probably could be a tad stronger. However they must be really soothing as I have a bad case of the midday yawns now. I cant shake them :

[askthecoffeeguy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close askthecoffeeguy]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Much as I hate to say it Lipton make a decent fist of it with their chai latte sachets, which are available from the stupid-market.

At least they use real tea in theirs!

Also, Phoenix Organic chai from NZ has a distinctive spice / ginger taste, and is not as sickly sweet as some.

Im also a fan of the alchemy chai from qld, which is also readily available, which is sweet tasting and predominantly cardamon flavoured.

At my work we sell 3 different types of chai soy (or dairy) latte, as well as organic loose leaf chai, iced spiced chai, and LSD (latte soy dandelion!)

Never thought thered be so much demand for the stuff, but there obviously is!

Pat

[askthecoffeeguy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close askthecoffeeguy]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

And for the record start with about 20 to 30ml of concentrate in the bottom of a pre-warmed latte glass (depending upon type and strength), add a splash of warmed milk of your choice, and gently steam contents for a second or two.

Then top with creamy warmed milk to build a layered latte effect.

And dont get me started on how to make a Deko (half decafe / half Ecco)!

P

[AndyL Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AndyL]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Chai Latte.... rubbish. Its burnt, reduced down tea and spices. Abuse on tea.
There is a huge damage on this garbage, just hate it. Taste like left over water on the bottom of a rubbish bin. Milky crap that has no balance flavours.

Chai tea no problems. Great assam and different herbs with spices. Unique.

As you can see. Not a fan.

I use the Phoenix, easy quick so i dont have to suffer any more pain making this crap.

[muppet_man67 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close muppet_man67]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Chai seems to be very much the in vogue drink these days. we use Calma Sutra at work which is moist and sticky, im not sure exactly whats in it but it has to be kept refrigerated. The chai set love it. Often people ask which chai we use and havnt ever got a bad response when I have told them. Most people drink it with soy, but hey sometimes it feels like we go through as much soy a full cream in the coffees. we definatly use more soy then skinny.

[askthecoffeeguy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close askthecoffeeguy]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

You dont have to love chai soy latte to love the return you get on the product - in a good week Ill go through 1dz bottles of Chai concentrate.

When you consider that all it takes is 20ml of concentrate (I used to work in an orange juice factory - but I got the sack coz I couldnt concentrate!), plus some warm milk, and a little know-how, thats a pretty good return on investment!

So on behalf of my bank manager, and my accountant, Id like to personally congratulate chai so latte drinkers everywhere!

P

[Ms_SmoothChai Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ms_SmoothChai]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Soy Chai best thing on Earth - only good quality - definitely no-no caffeine - not too sweet please - honey is better than sugar. The combination of exotic spices and cinnamon sounds good, different. Chai equals personality plus.

Soothing without the scars of chamomile boredom or the harsh-bitter like common tea / burnt coffee beans, a winter drink only for few - calming, relaxing, cozy, warm, almost life indulgence & best company... definitely not for everybody.

[GregWormald Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GregWormald]

Re: Chai Latte - What is it?

Google is your friend.
Try <recipe: chai> and be ready for the landslide.
Greg