How to Brew a Milk Chai–a.k.a. “chai latte”
(This is the traditional way… with a modern twist!)
“Chai” is spiced tea, a traditional drink in India which has made its way around the world. Chai is usually a blend of black tea and pungent spices. In recent years, however, chai has evolved. It now comes in many different varieties, including with a base of green tea, white tea, or even rooibos. The spices vary, as well.
For our chai today, we will be using Coy o’Teas’ Indian Spiced Chai, a tasteful, balanced blend of deep spice with high notes of lemongrass.
This technique uses two mugs, a microwave, and a filter for the tea.
Instructions:
Follow these instructions carefully! Be especially aware of hot milk!
- Fill the first mug with fresh, cold milk.
- Measure out some Indian Spiced Chai and place it into your first mug with the milk. Stir to mix it up.
- Put your first cup (the one with tea and milk in it) into the microwave. Heat it for 2 minutes. (Note: You do -not- want the milk to boil, as that tends to spoil the taste.)
- Once the microwave finishes, let the chai tea steep in the milk for 2-3 more minutes (more or less, depending on how strong you want the chai-brew).
- While the chai steeps, place a tea strainer over the second, empty mug.
- Once the chai has steeped enough, carefully take the first cup (now full of brewed chai and chai spices) out of the microwave.
- Pour the brewed chai over the filter, into the second mug. Make sure all the tea leaves get trapped in the filter. (I do this with a paper towel nearby, because I always spill.)
- Add LOTS of sweetener to the second mug. That’s traditional!
Congratulations! You now have a nice cup of traditional milk chai!
ENJOY! 🙂
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