chai latte recipe

this chai latte recipe offers the perfect blend of flavours that you crave, and it’s ready in just a few minutes. with black tea and common spices usually found in your kitchen cupboards, you can whip up this tea whenever you like.

as you enjoy the process of making the tea, our guide will keep you engaged with additional information on this latte – covering everything from the basics to detailed instructions on how to make chai latte at home.

we reckon that’ll enhance your understanding and enjoyment of this tea that’s deliciously different from the regular tea in every possible way.

understanding chai latte

chai latte has gained so much popularity that you can find it on the menus of cafés worldwide, including those right here in australia. you’ve probably enjoyed it at your favourite cafés, maybe even wondering how to make chai latte at home.

it’s easy to assume that making a latte requires complex steps and time-consuming effort, leading many of us to enjoy it in a café instead of making it at home.

thankfully, the reality is pleasantly different. mastering how to make chai latte at home is surprisingly simple and allows you to treat yourself whenever you like. additionally, the process of selecting the aromatic spices and watching them blend with the black tea and the creamer is a pleasing sensory experience.

let’s have a closer look to know more before we explore our detailed chai latte recipe.

what is chai latte?

the latte is a delicious drink that combines the rich and bold flavours of black tea, creamy steamed milk and spices. it’s made using a base of black tea and a combination of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. sometimes black cardamom and nutmeg are also added. this forms the tea base which is then mixed with steamed and frothy milk as well as a sweetener to make the latte. it offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making it a popular choice for many of us.

the fact that those flavours come with a certain level of flexibility, makes it even better. a latte can be easily customised – starting with sweetener for the tea to the choice of milk and the spices used – there’s a lot of possibility to tailor the drink.

moreover, the tea can be customised beyond the flavour preferences to suit the weather outside; get a steaming cup on a chilly day or a refreshing iced version on a scorcher.

origins and cultural significance

just like the enjoyable layers of flavour found in this latte, the story behind this beloved drink is rich and fascinating.

to begin with, the word "chai" originates from the chinese word for tea, "cha", which was bought to india by british colonists in the 19th century. but chai latte (or masala chai), as we know it today, evolved in the indian subcontinent.

initially, british started tea cultivation in assam to meet the demand for tea back home. then they introduced it to indians through tea breaks for factory workers and by supporting tea vendors at railway stations.

over time, indians added local spices and herbs to their tea, giving it a delicious twist. this new version quickly became a beloved part of indian culture, synonymous with warmth and hospitality.

today, spiced tea (a variant of this latte) is a friendly gesture extended to guests and a beverage of choice for many across the indian sub-continent.

how to make chai latte:

this chai latte recipe is super quick and easy, so you can feel like a true barista in your own kitchen. it lets you skip the cafe and recreate this rich tea using some spices and black tea.

equipment

• saucepan
• strainer
• frother

ingredients

chai tea bags option

• 2 teapigs chai tea temples
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• pinch of ground cinnamon for garnish

black tea option

• 2 teapigs everyday brew
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 whole cloves
• 4 cardamoms
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 3 black peppercorns
• 1 small piece of ginger (sliced)
• pinch of ground cinnamon for garnish

instructions

1. chai tea temple option: grab a saucepan, pour water into it and boil it over medium heat. next, add the teapigs tea bags to the boiling water and allow them steep for 3-5 minutes on low heat. this will infuse the water with the spices and tea flavour from the tea bags.

2. black tea bags option: skip this step if you’re using teapigs chai tea! however, if you’re using everyday brew tea bags – get all the spices together (mentioned under ingredients in the black tea bags option). while the water is boiling, toast them in a small pan to make them more fragrant or use them without toasting – it’s your choice. add the tea bags and the spices to the boiling water, then allow the mixture to simmer for about 3-5 minutes on low heat. this will infuse the water with the spices and tea flavour.

3. add milk and sweetener: while the infusion continues, pour the milk and sugar in another saucepan and heat it. once the sugar dissolves and the milk steams, turn off the heat and use a milk frother to froth the milk.

4. strain the tea: once the tea has steeped, remove the saucepan from heat and discard the tea bags. using a strainer, pour the tea into two cups. next, pour in the steamed milk, being careful to hold back the froth – you’ll need it in a bit. stir the latte gently.

5. garnish and enjoy: top each cup with some froth and sprinkle cinnamon over it. serve the latte hot and enjoy.

notes on recipe and ingredients:

• teapigs chai tea temples already have a spice mix, so additional spices were not included. however, if you prefer a more intense spicy flavour in your latte, you can add some or all of the spices.
• you can customise your drink with the milk and tea bags of your choice. the milk options can include non-dairy alternatives, while tea bags can be selected from any of these options from teapigs – darjeeling earl grey, english breakfast, chai tea or everyday brew.

tips to add an australian spin to your chai latte:

• add native spices: Australia is home to a variety of unique spices such as lemon myrtle, wattleseed, and pepper berry. Consider adding a pinch of these native spices to your latte for an extra kick of flavour.
• serve with tim tams: Tim Tams are a beloved Australian chocolate biscuit that pairs perfectly with a hot cup of chai. Serve your latte with a couple of Tim Tams for a true Aussie experience.
• use local honey: Australia has a wide variety of honey varieties, including eucalyptus and manuka honey. Consider using local honey to sweeten your chai latte for a taste of the Australian bush.
• garnish with fresh mint: Fresh mint is a staple in many Australian dishes and can be a great addition to your latte. Simply add a few fresh mint leaves on top of your latte for a pop of colour and flavour.

So there you have it, mate! This a simple and delicious chai latte recipe. This drink will warm ya up on a chilly day, and it's super simple to make. Now that you’ve learned how to make chai latte to impress your friends and fam, grab a cuppa and get started!

which is the best black tea for chai latte?

If you're looking to make a bloody ripper of a chai latte, then you'll need to start with the right tea. Now, the good news is that there are a few types of tea that work as a treat in this drink. One of our top picks here at Teapigs is our very own Everyday Brew Tea.  

This bold and malty tea has just the right amount of oomph to hold its own against the punchy spices in a chai latte.

So, if you want to take your latte game to the next level, grab yourself some Teapigs Everyday Brew and get brewing! Your taste buds will definitely thank ya. 

best spices to choose while making chai latte

mastering how to make chai latte requires a good understanding of the spices. some of the common ones used for that perfect balance of flavours are mentioned below:

• green cardamom is really fragrant and has a slightly sweet flavour. it’s one of the most used spices in this latte because of its strong aroma and unique flavour – a combination of citrusy, floral and slightly sweet notes.
• cinnamon adds a warm and sweet note to this latte.
• ginger provides a fresh spicy kick.
• black peppercorns add a subtle heat and spice.
• cloves add intense flavours that feel spicy and astringent.
• vanilla tends to add floral and sweet taste.

we suggest that you mix all the spices together, the first few times you make this latte. once you’re more comfortable making it, you can play around with the spices and their proportions to get the flavours you prefer.

serving and enjoying chai latte

serving up a delicious latte is the perfect way to add some joy to your loved one’s day! if you’re serving the hot version, just pour the tea into glasses and add some frothy milk (aim for tea to milk ratio of about 1/3:2/3) to it. then finish it up with some cinnamon powder for the visual appeal and taste enhancement.

now, if you’re serving the cold version, pour in the chilled spiced tea over ice and then add milk in the same ratio as the hot version (or add a bit more if you like). sprinkle some cinnamon to complete the presentation and don't forget to serve some tasty cookies or cake to enjoy alongside.

conclusion

there you have it – this chai latte recipe is super quick to make with just black tea and some everyday spices. not only that, but the recipe also helps you learn how to make chai latte at home.

as you do that, it deepens your understanding of spices and their impact on the flavours of the tea. this knowledge on spices comes in handy when you experiment with different spice combinations to customise your latte.

go ahead and try it out! and if you want to try another milk-based tea variety, bubble milk tea is just the one to explore further.

faqs on chai latte recipe

Q. what is a chai latte made of?

A. chai latte recipe consists of brewed chai tea infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger, combined with frothed milk. This fusion creates a creamy and flavourful beverage that balances the robustness of black tea with the comfort of warm, foamed milk.

Q. can i make chai latte without milk?

A. technically, chai latte without any form of milk wouldn't align with the traditional process, as "latte" means milk. but it gives you enough flexibility to add non-dairy milk like soy milk, which lets you enjoy the latte even if you have some dietary restrictions.

Q. are there any caffeine-free chai latte options?

A. you can make caffeine-free chai latte using decaffeinated black tea or caffeine-free herbal blends (like rooibos) as the base. combine these with spices and non-dairy milk for a delicious and caffeine-free tea.

Q. should you use ground or whole spices?

A. It's best to use whole spices for a much fresher and more aromatic flavour. Ground spices might also lose some of their flavour and aroma over time, making them less effective in creating a flavourful chai. Plus, using whole spices allows you to adjust the flavour to your liking!