How to make a chai latte

Although many people use the phrase “chai tea” to describe a popular blend of hot tea and spices, the term is actually somewhat redundant. The word “chai” translates literally to mean “tea” in Hindi, similar to the Cantonese word “cha,” which means the same thing. The chai latte (commonly, though incorrectly, referred to as a “chai tea latte”) is a cold-weather favorite for many, evoking a sense of coziness with each sip of spiced tea and warm, frothed milk. No matter what you call it, this beloved café beverage can be made at home with proper instructions and a bit of practice.

WHAT IS CHAI?

When a barista prepares a chai latte, they’re likely using Masala chai as the primary ingredient. This tea blend hails from India and is made with autumnal spices like nutmeg, cardamom and ginger. These flavors intertwine and remind us of crisp fall leaves and scarf weather, perfect for enjoying once September’s equinox arrives and we notice daylight growing shorter. Likewise, Tea Forté’s Bombay Chai is blended with black tea from the Nilgiri region of South India near Assam and Darjeeling, the two most important regions for black tea production in the country. The blend is a delicately-composed mélange of tea leaves, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise, and black pepper. Made correctly with tea, water, milk, and a touch of honey, the process of preparing a chai latte is really rather simple.

Another popular favorite for a latte is our seasonal blend Pumpkin Spice, a blend of black tea and warming pumpkin spice spices. Perfect for a cool autumn day, pick up some Pumpkin spice in the fall season.

Looking for a caffeine-free chai? Our Chakra Collection includes 2 herbal blends, Ginger Guru Chai, and Turmeric Tantra Chai. Another popular favorite is our rooibos-based Winter Chai. Not just for the winter season, this herbal chai packs plenty of flavor with herbs and spices including cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla and ginger.

HOW TO MAKE A CHAI LATTE

Begin with a fine quality spiced chai and prepare it as you normally would, except reduce the amount of water to one-quarter cup. The rest of the liquid will be replaced with warm milk and a topping of milk foam. See below for instructions to make a 8oz latte:

Chai Latte with a head of milk foam topped with a dash of cinnamon

RECIPE: CHAI LATTE

Ingredients:

1-2 teaspoons of Tea Forté Bombay Chai loose tea, or 1 pyramid tea infuser
4 oz water heated to 208 degrees
1/4 tsp Amber Tea Sugar, or to taste
4 oz steamed milk with milk foam
dash of cinnamon for garnish, optional

Directions:

Place the loose tea into an infuser basket and place in a mug, or unwrap a pyramid tea infuser and place in a mug. Pour the boiling water over the infuser and steep for 3-5 minutes.The longer the steep, the bolder the flavor. Since you’ll be adding steamed milk, consider letting it steep for the full five minutes for a robust latte, full of character.
Add 1/4 tsp of Amber sugar and stir well until dissolved.
Once done steeping, remove the infuser basket or pyramid infuser and top with steamed milk and froth. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy!

* For green or white teas, hea water to 185 degrees and steep for 2-3 minutes.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHAI

Like its black tea counterparts, spiced chai blends boast a powerful array of antioxidants in every cup. Medical research continues to deepen its exploration into tea’s benefits, while early signs indicate that tea may offer anticarcinogenic properties, as well as the ability to promote cardiovascular health and fight inflammation and even slow some signs of aging. Moderation is key, and many researchers agree that anywhere from one to three cups per day (with limited sweeteners and other additions) may be a wise choice for health-conscious tea lovers. So, once you’ve perfected the art of the homemade chai latte, raise a warm, spiced cup to your health and enjoy.