5 from 12 votes
Easy Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate Recipe
Easy Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate is a spiced black tea base made by steeping Darjeeling tea with crushed warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and ginger. After a brief simmer and steeping, the chai is strained and sweetened with honey and vanilla. This concentrate can be used hot or iced, diluted with milk or milk alternatives to create flavorful chai beverages.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
42 kcal
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
- 6-8 teaspoons black tea loose leaf or 6-8 Darjeeling* black tea bags (regular or decaf, Darjeeling
- 6 cups water filtered, room temperature
- 2-4 inch slices ginger fresh ginger, see notes for substitutes
- 2 cinnamon stick crushed (2 short sticks or one 6-8 inch stick broken
- 4-6 whole cloves crushed
- 6-7 whole cardamom pods crushed
- 1 whole star anise crushed (optional)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or a whole vanilla bean, slit and seeds scraped into pot with pod.
- ¼-½ teaspoon nutmeg fresh grated is best
- ¼-⅓ cup honey based on sweetness preferences
Instructions
- Measure all of your spices and ingredients so you are ready to go.
- In a bowl, using the end of a wooden spoon or a mortar and pestle, gently crush the 1-2 cinnamon sticks, 4-6 whole cloves, 4-5 cardamom pods, 1 star anise, and ginger (2-4 ½ -inch pieces). Grate the nutmeg (¼-½ tsp).
- Bring 6 cups of filtered water to a gentle boil and reduce to a simmer; 6-8 teaspoons or 6-8 tea bags, add crushed spices, ginger and if using, add vanilla pod/seeds or vanilla bean paste - if using vanilla extract you will add at the end.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer for just 5 minutes (longer will cause your tea to be bitter), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Allow mixture to steep covered for about 10-15 minutes.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a large 8-cup measuring bowl. Carefully pour the chai concentrate through the sieve. Discard the tea and spices.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (if you didn't add vanilla bean or paste), ¼-⅓ cup honeyor sweetener of choice until dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
- Pour your homemade chai concentrate into a desired container (at least 48 ounces) jar or bottle, cool and refrigerate. This will ensure your concentrate stays fresh and flavorful for a long time.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store concentrate refrigerated in airtight containers for up to two weeks.
- Freeze in ice cube trays for convenient small servings; thaw before use.
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave before serving.
- Mix equal parts concentrate and milk or milk alternatives for hot or iced chai lattes.
- Customize spices, sweeteners, and tea varieties to adjust flavor.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
42kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
0.2g
(0%)
Fat
0.2g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.04g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.04g
(0%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.03g
(0%)
Trans Fat
0.001g
(0%)
Sodium
11mg
(0%)
Potassium
27mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
4IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
22mg
(2%)
Iron
0.3mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 42
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 42kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 0.2g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Sodium | 11mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 27mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 4IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.