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How to Make Chai Concentrate from Tea Bags

Carissa Erzen
Enjoy a hot chai latte or an iced chai tea latte. It's super easy when you know how to make your own chai concentrate from tea bags at home!
5 from 1 vote
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Cook Time 20 minutes
Steep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian, Middle Eastern
Servings 4 drinks
Calories 26 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 10 whole green cardamom pods
  • 8 whole black peppercorns
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole allspice
  • 2 whole star anise
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 inch piece of ginger (peel off the skin with a spoon)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 bags black tea (or substitute 4 tablespoons loose black tea such as English breakfast, Assam or Ceylon)

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan, add the water, all the spices, peeled ginger, and vanilla extract. (Leave out the tea for now.)
    Simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat.
  • Add the black tea bags to the saucepan and continue to simmer for 3 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow everything to steep for 10 minutes.
  • Strain the chai through a fine mesh sieve or a cheesecloth.
  • Add straightaway to a hot drink, or let the chai concentrate cool to room temperature. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
  • For a hot chai latte, add equal parts of chai concentrate and hot milk, then sweeten with sugar or honey to your liking.
    For an iced chai latte, add equal parts chai concentrate and cold milk in a glass with ice cubes. Sweeten with honey or syrup to your liking.

Notes

  • Bulk Spices: Since you need relatively small amounts of each spice, I recommend looking for grocery stores that have bulk sections. Then you only have to pay for the quantity you need.
  • International Stores: I found some of these spices for much cheaper at my local Indian market and my local halal market.
  • Whole Spices: I recommend using whole spices so you can fully strain them out. Otherwise your chai concentrate could be cloudy or grainy if you use ground spices. 
  • Stronger Flavor: If you want even stronger chai flavor, steep the mixture for longer after you remove it from the heat.
  • Storing: Allow your homemade chai concentrate to cool completely. Then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Store in an airtight container or divide in an ice cube tray and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • Shake Before Use: Before using your chai concentrate, give it a good shake or stir to mix any settled spices.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 26kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 21IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chai concentrate
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