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Chai Tea

Chai Tea - Go back in time for the origin and history of Chai tea

Indulge in a savory blend of an Indian version of black tea. Chai tea is a beverage that originated in India and is adored worldwide, especially in South Asia because of its unique infusion. The name chai is a Hindu term acquired from the Chinese word, cha which means tea. So when you say "Chai tea," it is translated literally as "tea tea." Chai is one of the best things enjoyed by the Indian culture since this tradition was influenced by British colonization. This flavored hot beverage is enhanced with different spices and sweeteners, making this tea a signature blend of this country. 

How is Chai tea different from other tea blends?

People can experience this blend in two preparations. The Chai concentrate and the Masala Chai, or the spicy infusion, separate this tea from the rest. These versions vary in the recipe and concoction of black tea with other flavorful elements making this drink a special treat for every tea lover. The Chai concentrate is a blend of black tea and a few spices, with milk added separately to your cup. Masala Chai, on one hand, features a mixture of black tea, milk, and natural spices in the infusion. Because of these distinct characteristics of chai with milk, people from the West pertain to this tea as a chai latte. 

What is Chai tea made up of? What spices are in Chai?

Black tea, particularly Assam tea leaves, is the most used tea base for Chai tea. Darjeeling and Nilgiri tea leaves are also options in blending this Indian tea. This tea type is combined with a special spice mixture called karha. It is composed of ground ginger and green cardamom at the spice's core, embellished with the tastes of star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, fennel seeds, peppercorn, nutmeg, ginger root, honey, vanilla, and other natural spices to infuse in a cup of hot water.

Water buffalo milk is traditionally used in India to blend with Chai. But if you don't have this in your kitchen, whole milk is preferable for your Masala Chai recipe. Sweeteners, such as sugar or jaggery, bring a delightful blend. Jaggery is a traditional cane sugar in the Indian subcontinent, extracted from date or palm sap without segregating its molasses and crystals. 

What does Chai tea taste like?

Experience Chai's one-of-a-kind blend, featuring the balanced flavor of sweet and spicy that complements the robustness of black tea leaves. These key tastes are savored regardless of the number of spices that make up your blend. Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, black pepper, and star anise contribute to the spiciness of Chai tea. Whole milk, vanilla, maple syrup, and sugar are sweeteners that result in a creamy and pleasant infusion.  Although Chai has black tea leaves in its recipe, the usual bitterness you would find from other tea blends is absent. Take pleasure in the aromatic full-bodied, spice-filled brew and smooth mouthfeel of Chai tea served hot or iced.

Concocting a Chai concentrate tea

For Chai tea in tea bags, pour freshly boiled water over one tea bag placed inside your cup. Steep for four to six minutes before taking out the bag. This infusion gives you a concentrated Chai since it does not have milk to enhance the blend. The procedure extends to brewing Chai loose-leaf tea but you'll need an infuser or strainer to extract the leaves from the liquid. To upgrade, dissolve honey, sugar, or milk into the infusion to smoothen the blend and give a satisfying taste you and your friends can revel in.  

How to make Chai tea latte?

Have the best-tasting Chai in the comfort of your home by following these easy brewing steps. For brewing traditional Chai tea in loose tea leaves, scoop four teaspoons of your preferred chai blend and steep into 250ml or one cup of hot water boiled at 100°C. Infuse the leaves for four minutes while low-heating 250ml of whole milk on the stove. Upon reaching the steep time, add water and tea infusion into the milk in a saucepan over medium heat, leaves and all. Let it simmer for five to ten minutes. The longer you let the tea leaves, water, and milk steep together, the more flavors are released from this mixture. Strain the leaves into a teapot or straight into your cup. You can add sweeteners for a better chai experience.

Store your Chai tea inside an opaque, airtight container and place it in a cool, dark space. Do not expose this tea to heat, light, oxygen or moisture. Putting your unused Chai tea in the refrigerator is also not advisable. 

Is Chai tea good and healthy for you?

Since Chai tea comes from black tea leaves, it guarantees you antioxidants to help keep your body healthy. Chai tea offers catechins and theaflavins to keep away oxidative stress and other medical conditions. This tea also has calcium, potassium, manganese, Vitamin K, and amino acids. These health agents contribute to several health benefits, making this tea even more exceptional apart from its taste. With all its nutritional composition, Chai tea is a great choice for your everyday diet. 

Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol leading to a healthy heart

Cinnamon is a spice that plays an essential part in managing one's blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. Once these components of the cardiovascular system are controlled, you are sure to have a well-beating heart. Not only that, cinnamon in Chai tea's recipe balances a person's blood sugar level, inhibiting the development of Type 2 diabetes in the body. Spare yourself from the dangers of hypertension, having a heart attack, or stroke by drinking Chai tea regularly.

Good digestion

It is important to take care of your gut since the nutrients a person needs is absorbed through the stomach. Chai tea has ginger in its recipe to enhance the function of the digestive system as well. Ginger helps the proper delivery of oxygen to different body organs so these body parts can work efficiently. This spice is a remedy for stomachache and nausea, particularly among pregnant women. The black pepper in Chai tea also aids the pancreas to release digestive enzymes needed to accelerate digestion. This ingredient breaks down fats and protein for fast digestion and weight loss. The smooth circulation of the digestive system caused by regular consumption of chai tea keeps the tea drinker away from liver diseases, lack of iron in the body, and uncomfortable bowel syndromes.

Boost brain activity and immune system

Drinking Chai tea is not only a wake-up beverage you can relish every morning, but it is also a reliable infusion to get better cognitive function and mind focus. Cinnamon is an ingredient in Chai tea that provides advantageous effects on the short- and long-term cognitive capacity of the brain, as well as on your attention and memory. Chai tea's amino acids L-theanine and its ginger spice work to improve one's focus and energy throughout the day. Cardamom also blended with Chai, is a great source of Vitamin C in high doses. This health agent is a significant component of Chai tea to help enhance the immune system.

Glowing skin

Come back to the young and beautiful you by adding Chai tea to your diet. Chai is the perfect drink with anti-inflammatory benefits to restore the skin from irritations caused by acne, rosacea, or eczema. It eases the redness and itchiness of the skin.  One of this tea's ingredients, ginger, improves skin appearance and promotes faster healing. Ginger has antioxidants to slow down aging by removing the wrinkles on your face. It also has natural oils, known as gingerols, known to lessen pain and inflammation.

Clove is also a component of Chai tea that bears antiseptic and antibacterial properties, fighting bad bacteria to grant you radiantly smooth skin. It removes impurities, resulting in an even skin tone and shields it from problems such as skin tags, and warts. 

Chai tea's cinnamon content has antibacterial characteristics as well. Cinnamon invigorates the blood vessels to improve blood circulation in the face. It inhibits the growth of acne and pimples and heals scars and redness brought on by these common skin issues.

Dental health

The black tea in Chai fights damaging bacteria inside your mouth, lessening the possibilities of plaque buildup. The tea leaves' compounds are supported by Chai's ginger and cardamom's antimicrobial and antifungal properties, extinguishing unhealthy oral pathogens. Make it a habit to have a daily cup of Chai to keep your gums and teeth safe and strong.

Remedy for common colds and inflammation

True teas and their various blends consist of catechins with antiviral compounds to ward off common colds and flu. Chai tea is from the Camellia sinensis plant too, and its spices, such as ginger and cinnamon, work to keep illnesses away. Ginger can soothe strep or sore throat, while cinnamon protects you from infection. Cardamom is a remedy for sinusitis and blocks bacteria and fungus that penetrate the body. Fulfilling your taste buds while getting better is a bonus you get from enjoying the flavor profile of Chai concentrate or latte tea.

Does Chai tea have high caffeine and how much caffeine does it contain?

Similar to other real teas, Chai tea possesses caffeine as it has black tea leaves in its base composition. However, this tea's caffeine content is much lower than a shot of espresso or any coffee version. Chai tea is moderately caffeinated. A cup of powdered Chai in a tea bag contains 25-55mg of caffeine, and the concentrate has 30-35mg. A Chai tea latte has 40mg of caffeine per 8oz. cup. This tea blend is less caffeinated than an average coffee blend with 120mg of caffeine. This caffeine level does not make one jumpy or upset your slumber and in fact, you can consume this tea at night. If you happen to have high sensitivity to caffeine, you can still enjoy the captivating taste of Decaf Chai Tea.

Chai tea calorie content

A plain Chai tea without milk offers no calories at all, something inherent to all types of tea. Its calorie count starts to rise upon adding enhancements, such as milk, maple syrup, and other sweeteners. A cup of this tea blend with whole milk gives 200 calories to your body that you can burn after almost an hour of jogging, dancing, biking, swimming, or walking. Using soy milk to make your chai tea latte can supply 180 calories, while non-fat milk turns over 160 calories.

Chai tea in different tea bases, blends, and unique flavors

This delectable tea may be differently prepared or have a diverse set of ingredients based on the cultures, locations, and family traditions from where it is brewed. Know Chai tea's variations to know which blend suits your palate and personal preference.

Sweet Chai Black tea

Black tea has been used for the longest time in making chai. It produces a comforting effect to the tea drinker, releasing its signature taste that every tea enthusiast and master blender loves to have in their cup. The English Tea Store is delighted to offer a brand of chai perfect for your daily cup of tea. Twinings Chai features a medium-flavored tea with sweet and spicy profiles of black tea leaves, natural chai, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, and other natural flavorings. Savor the traditional blend from one of the oldest tea companies in the world.

Chai Green tea

Chai green tea is an alternative if you favor the taste of green tea rather than having a black tea base. This tea blend brews the same sweet and spicy flavor but with citrusy notes that elevate this infusion to another level. It is a flavorful combination of green gunpowder cannon-style tea from Sri Lanka, cinnamon, coriander, sweet fennel, cumin, cardamom, curry, and lemongrass leaves. Give in to your craving and indulge yourself with a cup of this special green tea from the English Tea Store.

Spicy Masala Chai tea or Spiced Indian Chai

While most Masala Chai uses Assam black tea leaves, certain chai infusions are blended with a high-grown Ceylon tea and its special herbs and spices. This classic drink provides a spicier brew, emerging from cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, black peppercorn, sweet cumin seeds, curry leaves, lemongrass, and rampe leaves. Enjoy a cup of Indian Spiced tea available in loose-leaf with a 1oz trial size and in tea bags that also feature a set of five samplers.

Vanilla Chai tea

Who can resist the inviting fragrance of Vanilla Chai tea? This chai rendition has the pleasant scent of vanilla extracts combined with the spicy-sweet character of black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper. This full-flavored chai has a well-rounded blend and exquisite aroma that relaxes your senses before even taking a sip. Try this blend in a sampler size pack. While you can't purchase this over the counter from your local grocery store, you can from the English Tea Store. 

Iced Chai tea

Chai tea is a refreshing brew, whether you prepare it hot or iced. Its warm infusion shares a soothing feeling during cold weather, and its iced version oozes an invigorating sensation in the summertime. So, don't hesitate to drop those ice cubes into your chai tea and enjoy the thirst-quenching results this iced beverage brings.