Chai tea is said to be one of the most popular and effetive stimulants. The benefits that it offers are several and far-reaching. In this piece, we will give you some basic and popular recipes of how to make chai tea.
In India, and several other parts of Asia, chai tea is not just a hot beverage―it is a way of life. The often-spiced concoction is made using a combination of water, milk, tea leaves, sugar, and one or more spices. Simply referred to as chai, the sweet-smelling aroma and the milky consistency of this beverage are a much touted energy-giver and mood-lifter. With the world waking up to the benefits of this beverage, its popularity has soared high. What follows are some simple recipes of how to make chai tea.
Basic Tea
Ingredients
- Tea Powder
- Milk
- Sugar
- Lemon grass (optional)
- Ginger
- Water
Instructions
- Measure out a cup of water in a measuring glass and pour in the pan.
- Add sugar amounting to double the measure of water. That is, if you take 1 cup of water then add two teaspoons of sugar. Add 1 tsp of sugar for every extra ingredient (ginger, lemon grass).
- Add 1 teaspoon of tea powder.
- Grate some ginger and add to the water.
- Then add some lemon grass strands to the water.
- Put this mixture on the stove and keep to boil.
- When the mixture starts to boil, allow it to simmer for about 10 seconds.
- Bring it down from the stove.
- Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes so that all the flavors seep in.
- Then strain the mixture and pour milk according to personal preference. Some prefer very little milk in their tea, others like their tea very milky.
- One can also add masala tea powder or crushed cardamom instead of the lemon grass and ginger and follow the same instructions.
- This tea will serve one person. To serve more people, just follow this instruction. 1 cup water:2 tsp sugar:1 tsp tea powder.
This is the authentic Indian chai. One can make it plain, that is, without adding any extra spices (ginger, lemon grass, masala tea, cardamom) with just tea powder, milk, and sugar and it’ll taste just as good.
Vanilla Tea
Ingredients
- 3 whole cloves
- 4 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods
- 3 whole allspice
- 1 inch vanilla bean
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon black tea
- Milk
- Sugar (according to taste)
Instructions
- Pour the 4 cups of water in a pan.
- Add sugar, cardamom, allspice, cloves, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, and tea powder.
- Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes on low flame.
- Let it stand for 5 minutes to allow all the flavors to seep in.
- Add the honey and milk according to taste.
Chai Tea Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole black peppercorns pods
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 large strip orange peel
- Nutmeg powder (a pinch)
- 1 tablespoon black tea leaves or powder
- Sugar (according to taste)
Instructions
- Mix the milk and water in a pan and keep to boil on medium heat.
- Let it warm a little. Then add the orange peel, cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorns, tea powder, and sugar.
- Bring to boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes (it will change color).
- Let it stand for 5 minutes.
- Then strain and serve.
Benefits
Antioxidant
Chai tea in any form (green, black, oolong) acts as an antioxidant for our body. Antioxidants fight the damaging free radicals that are produced in our systems).
Improves Digestion
Chai tea helps in digestion. This is because of the ingredients that go in it.
Replaces Caffeine
Caffeine that is present in coffee is very harmful for our health. Chai tea has very little amounts of caffeine in it. Drinking chai tea not only reduces our caffeine intake, but is also an excellent alternative as a stimulating beverage.
Reduced Inflammation
Chai tea is responsible for reducing inflammation in our bodies. Adding ginger to your chai tea will help in reducing inflammation to a great extent.
Overall Health
It promotes overall health because of the variety of ingredients that are added in the tea. (cloves, cinnamon). Add to that the fact that chai tea is an excellent mood lifter.
If you haven’t tried any chai tea ever, go try brewing some concoctions that I’ve mentioned above. I’ve had countless evenings like that – watching the rain, with only chai tea for company. But you know what? You don’t need the rain, nor do you need a heartbreak, you just need some chai tea. Period.