Chai Spice Mix and Chai Concentrate
User Reviews
5
Chai Spice Mix and Chai Concentrate
Description
The Chai Spice Mix and Chai Concentrate recipe begins by grinding a combination of green cardamom pods, ground cinnamon or sticks, whole cloves, black peppercorns, and optional fennel seeds and ground ginger into a fine powder. The cardamom pods may be used whole or with husks removed depending on blending capability, affecting the intensity of flavor. This concentrated spice mix can be stored in an airtight container for up to six months.
To make a single serving of chai, water is heated and combined with the spice mix, fresh grated or chopped ginger, and loose leaf tea. The mixture is brought briefly to boiling, sweetened as desired, and finished by slowly stirring in non-dairy milk to minimize curdling. The chai returns to a boil briefly before serving, resulting in a balanced, spiced tea drink with creamy texture from the milk and warming spices.
The chai concentrate variant scales up the ingredients to produce a beverage base for four servings, using similar steps but larger quantities. Sweetener adjustments can be made to taste. The recipe notes emphasize that ground cardamom husks add flavor if fully powdered, and describe alternatives for forming spiced loose tea blends by mixing ground spices with tea leaves, although this is less stable over time.
Ingredients
For the Chai Spice Blend
- 3 tablespoons green cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 2” cinnamon stick, or more to preference
- 2 teaspoons clove whole
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 5 fennel seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger optional - omit if using fresh ginger
For 1 Serving of Chai
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon chai spice mix or more, to taste
- ½ inch ginger grated or chopped, fresh
- 2 to 3 teaspoons loose-leaf tea
- ½ cup non-dairy milk like barista oat milk, creamy
- sugar optional, or sweetener to taste
For the Chai Concentrate (4 Servings)
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons chai spice mix or more, to taste
- 1 inch ginger grated, fresh
- 1½ tablespoons loose-leaf tea
- sugar or sweetener to taste
Instructions
Make the chai spice blend.
- Combine all the chai spice blend ingredients in a coffee grinder or small blender. Blend until the mixture is evenly powdered. Depending on your blender, if might not do a good job of breaking up the cardamom pods completely. If you think that might happen, remove the husks before blending and use only the seeds.(This will make a more concentrated chia spice mix and you might need to add a bit less per serving). Store the spice mix in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. The spice will stays fresh for 6 months.
Make 1 serving of chai.
- Heat the water in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chai spice mix and grated or thinly sliced ginger and bring to a boil. Add the loose-leaf tea and boil again. Stir in sugar to taste, then pour in the non-dairy milk slowly. (Do a very slow pour that will bring the temperature of the saucepan down and reduce chances of non dairy milk separating). Bring the mixture to a boil again, then turn off the heat. Strain into a cup and enjoy!
Make the chai concentrate.
- Heat the water in a saucepan and add chai spice mix and grated ginger. Bring to a boil. Add the loose-leaf tea and sugar (if using). Boil for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and let the mixture steep for a few minutes. Strain the concentrate, let it cool, and store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 7 days. Or freeze into ice cubes and use later!
- Use the chai concentrate: add equal parts chai concentrate and non dairy milk and heat up for hot heat or serve over ice for iced tea!
Notes
- Including green cardamom husks in the blend adds flavor if they can be ground finely; otherwise, use only the seeds for a cleaner spice mix.
- Store the chai spice mix in an airtight container away from light to preserve freshness for up to six months.
- The nutritional information provided applies to the dry spice blend without added milk or sugar as these can vary.
- To make spiced loose tea, blend the chai spice mix with loose leaf tea, but note the spices may settle at the bottom over time.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 25 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 25kcal | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sodium | 4mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 100mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 0.05g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 10IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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