Homemade Chai Latte – a heartwarming drink for the soul!
A healthy, immune-boosting beverage for chilly days
Chai latte is a beverage originating from India that, in my opinion, nourishes both body and soul. The spices it contains –cinnamon (supports fat burning and helps prevent heart disease), fennel (boosts immunity and reduces bloating), cardamom (relieves cramps, reduces inflammation, and eases women’s ailments), and ginger (anti-inflammatory and may help prevent cancer) – all contribute to maintaining our health. Prepared as a chai latte, it also warms us from the inside, especially on cold days.
You can already find chai lattes in cafés and tea houses. However, to enjoy a truly healthy drink free from hidden calories, it’s worth experimenting with your own recipe. Here’s how I make mine.
What does “chai” mean?
“Chai” has Chinese origins and simply means tea. What we drink today under the name chai is actually chai masala, a spiced tea blend, which I think tastes best with milk and honey.
Chai latte customized to your taste
The original version was supposedly made with buffalo milk and no sugar, but the recipes popular in Europe often use cane sugar and full-fat cow’s milk, sometimes replaced with various syrups or powders. If you want to be sure you’re drinking a truly healthy beverage, it’s better to make it yourself. This way, you can adjust the ingredients to your taste and diet, using any natural sweetener and low-fat milk or plant-based milk.
Let’s take a look at the ingredients!
Ingredients (for 3 cups)
I’ve listed these ingredients based on my own experimentation. There are many ways to make chai latte, so I recommend adjusting the quantities to suit your personal taste.
- 2 g whole green cardamom
- 2 g whole fennel seeds
- 2 g cardamom seeds
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 3 whole black peppercorns
- 2 star anise pods
- 2 thin slices of fresh ginger
In addition to the spices, you will also need:
- 1 black tea bag
- 200 ml milk (you can use soy or almond milk if you prefer)
- 500 ml water
- 4 tablespoons honey (or another sweetener to taste, such as xylitol, erythritol, or date syrup)
Preparation
1. Bring the water to a boil, then add all the spices and fresh ginger.
Boil for another minute, then remove from heat and add the tea bag. Leave to stand for about 8 minutes to allow the spices to infuse. Then remove the tea bag and strain the mixture.
Set aside the resulting mixture!
2. Boil the milk with the honey, then pour in the spiced mixture and stir everything together.
(You can even use a milk frother for this, and sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top.)
3. Enjoy it warm!
When to drink chai latte
Because it contains black tea, chai latte has caffeine, which is stimulating. So, avoid drinking it in the evening or right before bed. It’s best enjoyed as a mid-morning or afternoon snack when you need a little energy boost.
Filtered chai tea
I first encountered Teekanne filtered chai tea in Vienna at Spar. Since I had always enjoyed Teekanne teas, I bought a box of filter tea called Oriental Chai. It was very tasty and could be drunk in the evening as it does not contain black tea. Its sweet taste comes from stevia leaves.
Every home has its own chai
You can experiment with different spices, just like in India, where every family keeps a secret chai recipe. In fact, you’ll find many variations there. The proportions, ingredients, and preparation methods all follow the same principle: every home has its own way of making chai.
Peace and harmony
The spices in chai masala create a perfect harmony, and with each sip – whether enjoyed on its own or as a chai latte – we get a little closer to that harmony ourselves. This is a drink that can’t be gulped down quickly. You need to taste it, savor it, and in doing so, your soul finds calm. For me, it’s sometimes even better than meditation.
Chai masala (and the chai latte made from it) carries this message:
Everything is fine – just pause for a moment and enjoy the flavors!
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