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Easy Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate Recipe

5 minutes prep for this easy Chai Concentrate recipe. Using tea bags or loose-leaf tea, it's a cost-saving alternative to store-bought and cafe versions. Enjoy a chai latte anytime!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 42 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 6-8 teaspoons Darjeeling black tea loose leaf or 6-8 Darjeeling* black tea bags (regular or decaf)
  • 6 cups water filtered, room temperature
  • 2-4 ½ inch slices ginger fresh ginger, see notes for substitutes
  • 2 cinnamon sticks 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

    Cup of Yum
  1. Measure all of your spices and ingredients so you are ready to go.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer for just 5 minutes (longer will cause your tea to be bitter), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
  5. Allow mixture to steep covered for about 10-15 minutes.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

Notes

  • Storage Tips
  • Refrigerate - After the concentrate cools, store it in an airtight container, like a bottle or mason jar, in the fridge for up to two weeks. 
  • How to Freeze—If you don't plan on using the chai within two weeks, you can freeze it in an ice cube tray. This allows you to easily use the concentrate in small batches or single servings.
  • Reheating - Rewarm on the stovetop, frother or in the microwave and enjoy!
  • How to Make a Hot Chai Latte from Concentrate
  • Mix equal parts milk and the chai concentrate. Try whole milk or non-dairy milk, like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Then, heat the beverage in a frother, or on the stovetop, or in the microwave. If desired, sprinkle latte with a little ground cinnamon and place a star anise on top for presentation points! For more details check out my post for how to make a hot chai latte.
  • How to Make an Iced Chai Latte
  • Fill a tall glass with ice. Then, pour equal parts chai concentrate and milk of choice or a milk substitute over the ice. For a shaken iced latte, add the ingredients to a shaker and shake about 10 times. You can also use a cold frother to froth the milk and add to the homemade iced chai tea latte recipe.
  • Dirty Chai Tea Latte: Add a shot of espresso or two to the iced or hot chai latte to make a dirty chai latte.
  • Chocolate Chai: Make a decadent chocolate chai by adding chocolate syrup to the beverage.
  • or
  • , if you must, you may use 2 teaspoons ground ginger.
  • zest
  • cane sugar
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  • Feel free to use Ceylon or Assam black tea as well, or your favorite black tea.
  • If no fresh ginger, second choice is using 2-4 frozen ginger cubes or minced ginger, if you must, you may use 2 teaspoons ground ginger. 
  • If you like more “bite” or spice in your chai, feel free to increase the ginger, I like more of a medium spice.
  • Nutritional values do not include milk of choice, just the concentrate, please use a nutrition calculator to determine accurately. 
  • Increase the ginger for a little more spice in your chai.
  • If no fresh ginger, try using 2-4 frozen ginger cubes or minced ginger, if you must, you may use 2 teaspoons ground ginger.
  • Add up to 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns for a spicy chai.
  • Fennel seeds for a unique flavor or orange zest for brightness. A dash of lemon juice also adds another layer of flavor.
  • You can replace the honey with maple syrup, cane sugar, agave, coconut sugar, granulated sugar, or brown sugar.
  • Swap out the tea for Earl Grey, Assam, or another black tea favorite.
  • If you prefer a more bitter chai spice, use unsweetened, omitting the honey.

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 Monounsaturated Fat 0.03g Trans Fat 0.001g 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: 8servings

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.