Chai tea lattes are a relatively new twist on classic chai tea. Chai tea has been around for centuries and is still being perfected with every passing day. This robust tea is heavily spiced and makes for the perfect aromatic drink.
Since their recent rise in popularity, chai tea lattes can be found in nearly every coffee house around the world. They are a true tea staple and can brighten any overcast day. Chai tea latte’s creaminess and its sweet spices create a beautifully blended drink.
What is Chai Tea?
Chai tea is a redundant term. This is because chai is a Chinese term that directly translates to “tea.” Chai is used to refer to tea in many places around the world. Chai tea literally means “tea tea.”
When people refer to the drink of chai tea, they usually mean masala tea. Masala tea is a black tea blend that has been spiced with certain flavors to give it a strong and aromatic taste.
Chai tea came about in the mid-1800s when Britain began black tea farms in India. Back then, black tea was a very expensive commodity, so merchants would water it down to save money. Nobody likes a watered-down tea, so milk and various spices were added to keep the drink’s strong taste while cutting back on costs.
Although plain black tea was the most expensive drink back then, chai tea is usually the more expensive of the two today. Luckily, chai tea is very easy to make at home with spices you probably already have on hand.
Masala tea traditionally uses cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, cardamom, and peppercorn to create its delicious flavor profile. All these spices are combined with black tea and served in a hot mug of milk to create a perfect chai tea latte.
How is Chai Tea Made into a Latte?
Chai tea is a beautiful black tea spiced blend that can be made even sweeter with the addition of milk. Chai tea lattes don’t use just any milk; they use steamed whole milk to create a thick and creamy spiced tea that will make your mouth water.
Milk is steamed mostly with a steam wand. The steam wand blows water so hot it becomes steam into the milk to heat it up. The steam creates microbubbles that get stuck in the milk and give it a textured mouthfeel we refer to as foam.
The steam wand both heats up the milk and textures it to create a frothy and sweet beverage that makes any tea or espresso that much better.
The masala spiced black tea blend is turned into a chai tea latte by concentrating the flavors and adding them to steamed milk. This tea can be made concentrated by using less water when initially brewing it.
Masala tea can also be concentrated by continuing to boil it until enough water evaporates. By concentrating on the masala tea before adding the steamed milk, we create a stronger overall flavor that is sure to wow your tastebuds.
What is a Dirty Chai Tea Latte?
A dirty chai tea latte is an extra caffeinated chai tea latte. The extra caffeination comes from the addition of one or more espresso shots. Black tea is naturally caffeinated but typically contains much less caffeine than a cup of coffee or even a shot of espresso, for that matter.
The espresso shot is added to the top of the chai tea latte and stirred in so it can be tasted throughout the drink. The addition of the espresso shot gives this drink a whole new dimension.
Dirty chai tea lattes are rich and bold. They have a robust and earthy taste that perfectly complements the steamed milk’s creamy texture. The spices of a dirty chai tea latte take it to the next level and round out the flavors, creating the perfect drink.
How to Make a Chai Tea Latte with a French Press?
Chai tea lattes can easily be prepared using a French press. French presses can be used for much more than just brewing coffee! They can brew loose leaf tea and can even be used to froth milk!
To use your French press to create a perfect chai tea latte, follow the recipe below.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole milk, heated
- 1 black tea bag
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Cut open the bag of black tea and empty the contents into the French press. Add the spices and the water.
- Let brew for 5-7 minutes before using the plunger to filter out the loose tea and spices.
- Pour the tea into a serving cup and stir in the sugar. set aside for now and rinse out the French press.
- Pour the heated milk into the French press and pump the plunger up and down until the milk is frothy.
- Pour the frothed milk into the serving cup. Stir, add ground cinnamon on top, and enjoy.
Conclusion
Chai tea lattes are a staple of autumn weather and rainy days. They are perfect for sore throats or to lift your spirits. By adding a shot or two of espresso to your chai tea latte, it becomes the perfect morning drink.
The spiced masala tea and the creamy steamed milk are a perfect combination that can be endlessly experimented with. Chai tea can be store bought or made at home. However, you get your chai tea latte, it is sure to be delicious.