Chai Concentrate
Simmer aromatic whole spices and strong Indian black tea together to create a chai concentrate that is very fragrant and flavourful. Just add milk to make a quick chai latte!
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 teaspoons black tea loose leaf (or 4 tea bags)
- 1 inch knob ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 8 cardamom pods
- 6 black peppercorns
- 6 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar optional
Instructions
- In a mortar and pestle, add all of the spices (ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorns, cloves, and star anise) and lightly crush them to release the flavourful oils. If you do not have a mortar and pestle, you can gently crush the spices on a cutting board with the pack of a wooden spoon.
- In a saucepan on medium-heat, add the crushed spices and lightly toast them for 1 minute.
- Add water to the saucepan with the spices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Bring the water and spices back to a boil, then remove from heat. Add the black tea, loose leaf or tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes.
- Stir sugar (if using) until dissolved.
- Pour the chai concentrate into a glass bottle or jar through a strainer to remove the tea and spices. Let cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- To use the chai concentrate, begin by mixing equal parts with milk. Add more chai concentrate if you would like it stronger. Pour it directly over iced for an iced chai latte, or heat it first for a hot chai latte.
Notes
Feel free to play around with the ingredients and measurements in this chai concentrate recipe. If there is a spice that you don't like, omit it. Add your favourite chai spices, too. It may take a few tries but it is important to adjust spices to taste!
Looking for a unique gift idea? Bottle up some of your homemade chai concentrate, label it with instructions and gift to a friend to spread the chai love!
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