Homemade Chai Tea Recipe (Hot or Iced) | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

Should chai tea be hot or cold? ›

Chai tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or without milk, and can even be used as a base for co*cktails and other drinks.

A tip from my mom: fresh spices make the best chai. Always try and start with the purest version of each spice—like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and cardamom pods.

Generally, this is somewhere between 200 and 212 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes. If your chai has a green tea base, it should be steeped at a lower temperature, somewhere around 170 to 190 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes.

' While both chai tea and masala chai are made with black tea, their main difference is the spices used in their preparation. Chai tea is essentially just black tea with milk and sugar, while masala chai is prepared with a blend of spices that typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.

Texture: Hot chai lattes have a creamy and comforting texture due to the addition of milk during the brewing process. The heat from the tea helps to meld the flavors together. On the other hand, iced chai lattes have a lighter and more refreshing texture, with the cold temperature providing a cooling effect.

When tea is brewed initially, it releases various compounds, including tannins and catechins. Reheating tea can cause these compounds to degrade, leading to a loss of flavour and even potential benefits.

Excessive chai consumption can sometimes lead to digestive discomfort for certain individuals. The strong compounds in tea, like tannins and caffeine, can irritate the stomach lining and lead to issues like acid reflux, indigestion, or an upset stomach.

"Whole milk is the best for hot chai, as it contains a lot of natural fats that create a really creamy taste," Sanyal says. While whole milk is traditional for chai, you can really use any milk you like. Switch it up with non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy, or make your chai a little lighter with skim.

Spices frequently used in dirty chai are black pepper, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Dirty chai latte can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Masala chai with too little milk will also not taste good and will be watery. An ideal ratio of water to milk can range from 1:1 to 3:1 depending on the kind of milk – hom*ogenized, non-hom*ogenized, toned and raw milk .

Why does Starbucks chai tea taste different? ›

Starbucks' Chai Tea Latte, while delicious in its own right, may not always accurately represent the authentic flavors and ingredients of traditional chai. The use of a concentrated chai mix and standardized ingredients simplifies the complexity of the original beverage, diluting its cultural essence and nuance.

The Impact of Sugar & Syrups

One of the most significant differences between Starbucks Chai Tea Latte and traditional chai lies in its sweetness. Many coffeehouse beverages, including the Chai Tea Latte, are known for their sugary profiles, designed to cater to a wide range of taste preferences.

Remove tea bag and stir in milk and honey or sugar. Allow the chai to just return to a boil, then pour into a mug and serve. Note that if you let chai sit for too long, it will form a "skin." This is normal, but if you'd rather not have it, periodically stir your chai while you enjoy it.

Chai tea can also help you get over a cold. Not only does the classic chai blend contain antioxidants that may help fight infections and viral illnesses, but these antioxidants can give a boost to your immune system, soothe headaches, reduce nausea, clear the sinuses, and more.

Chai tea is a great source of antioxidants such as catechins and theaflavins. These fight oxidative stress and can play a role in preventing cancer and other conditions. Depending on how it's prepared, chai tea may also include: Calcium.