Although it may be more convenient to leave the preparation of lattes and cappuccinos to professionals, making these beverages at home is surprisingly straightforward. Even while we like going to our favourite coffee shops and are grateful to the baristas there, there are times when we simply want to do things on our own. Your taste senses and your guests may be left in awe with only a few items purchased from a grocery shop and some fundamental cooking equipment.
You are going to learn how to prepare a chai tea latte today, so stay tuned for that. This is a straightforward beverage, since all you need is chai tea and some hot milk to make it. Let’s get some background information about chai before we go any further.
What Is Chai?
Chai is a beverage that has been around for a very long time. Chai is not a single leaf but rather a combination of several different spices. It is said to have originated in India and was conceived of as a medicinal beverage. It is said that its history goes back 5,000 years, to the time when a mysterious monarch suffered from a sore throat and an upset stomach. Each component of a chai recipe had a specific function when combined together. Anise was used to freshen the breath, cloves were used to relieve pain, black pepper and ginger were used to promote digestion, cardamom lifted your mood, black pepper and ginger were used to stimulate digestion, and cinnamon encouraged excellent air and blood movement.
It must have been successful since the beverage quickly gained immense popularity all throughout India and then expanded to the rest of the continent. The formula may have varied somewhat from place to place, but the basic concept remained the same: Chai was a beverage that was both restorative and energising.
In the middle of the 1800s, black tea leaves, milk, and honey were added to the beverage, which resulted in the creation of what is now known as a chai tea latte.
So, What Is a Chai Latte?
To put it simply, chai latte is just chai tea blended with hot milk. Indeed, it is as easy as that! Tea bags or loose leaf combinations may be used to make chai, and the latter is what we will be doing today. Chai is a traditional Indian beverage. In addition, chai concentrates may be purchased at most grocery stores.
Since we are watching Coffee-Channel, we will add one shot of espresso to our chai latte even though a traditional chai latte does not include any coffee. A “dirty chai latte” is a common name for this beverage. It comes as quite a surprise how nicely they combine, considering that the chai is still strong enough to be the taste that stands out the most, while the espresso is on the milder side.
Now, let’s get to making the drink!
How to Make a Chai Latte
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 4 oz. chai tea
- 4 oz. milk
- Sugar (to taste)
- 1 shot of espresso (optional)
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- A cup
- A whisk or small jar (optional)
How to do it:
This is going to turn out to be a really easy procedure. The most challenging aspect is that you have to monitor the temperatures of both of the objects that you are heating at the same time. In around five to ten minutes, you ought to have a delectable chai latte ready for you.
1. Make or heat the chai.
If you are using tea leaves, bring the water to a boil and steep the chai for a few minutes. If you are making use of a concentrate, place it in a small saucepan and cook it over low to medium heat. Because you want the tea to be around the same temperature as the milk, we suggest setting the temperature between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit. After the chai has finished brewing, sugar may be added to taste.
2. Heat the milk.
In the same small saucepan, bring the milk up to a temperature between low and medium heat. It should be heated to around 160-170 degrees, which is a temperature that is considerably below boiling. If you’d like, you can make it even more chill. When cooled to a lower temperature, a drink will have a velvetier mouthfeel.
3. Froth the milk (optional).
When you want to make froth out of the milk, pour it into an another container and whisk it. To do this, place the whisk in the palms of your hands and roll it back and forth between your hands in the same manner as if you were trying to light a fire.
4. Combine.
A cup will need to be prepared for the milk, chai, and espresso shots. If you really want to go all out, you can sprinkle some cinnamon on top to make it seem and feel like it came from a café.
Additionally, if you want a chai latte but don’t want a hot drink since it’s too warm outdoors, that’s not a problem at all! Pour the two cold liquids over ice and enjoy a delicious iced chai latte instead of heating them up as you would normally do.
The conclusion is as follows: Easy enough, wouldn’t you say? Until next time, happy drinking!
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