How to Make Homemade Chai Concentrate
There’s something extra cozy about curling up with a blanket and a mug of chai. This homemade chai concentrate is the perfect combination of sweetness from maple syrup or brown sugar and the warming flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, all spice, ginger and black pepper.
The Tea in Homemade Chai Concentrate
Chai is traditionally made with a black tea. For some, using tea bags will be the easiest, most available or most affordable. If you enjoy loose leaf tea, feel free to find your favorite loose leaf black tea for this concentrate.
If you’re looking for an option that doesn’t have any caffeine, the most common option would be to use a rooibos tea. Rooibos tea will give a similar flavor without caffeine.
The spices of Homemade Chai Concentrate
Although the spices of chai are not one set of ingredients, the spices of this chai concentrate include cinnamon sticks, star anise, all spice, cloves, cardamom, black peppercorns and ginger. If you’re looking to purchase spices in bulk, Azure Standard is a great place to look!
Why make chai concentrate at home?
If you like to enjoy a chai latte on a regular basis or seasonally, you will quickly realize the cost to purchase the concentrate can add up. You may also see that the bagged/dried chai never turns out the same as the concentrate.
Making the concentrate at home full from scratch will allow you to control the flavor and ingredients used. If you find you really don’t like the addition of cardamom, or any of the other ingredients, you can always reduce or eliminate that ingredient. You are also able to change how sweet your chai is! If you prefer a spicier chai over sweet, you can reduce the sweetener used to your preference.
Looking for more kitchen inspiration? You might be interested in making Vanilla Bean Paste or Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Chai vs Chai Tea
In India where chai originates, chai is the Hindu word for tea. So, if you call this drink a “chai tea” the translation would mean you’ve said “tea tea”.
Ingredients
½ tsp dried ginger
2 Cinnamon sticks (3 inches per stick)
1 star anise
1 tsp Vanilla extract
4 allspice
7 cloves
10 Cardamom pods
15 black peppercorns
5 cups water
5 black tea bags or 5 tsp loose leaf black tea
¾ cup brown sugar or Maple syrup
Directions
In your medium stockpot, gently toast whole spices on medium heat until fragrant.
Add water to the spices.
Place on high heat until boiling then reduce to a simmer for 10 min.
After 10 minutes, remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
After resting for 5 minutes, add black tea.
Steep the black tea for no longer than 2 minutes. Removing the tea after 2 minutes will ensure you avoid a bitter flavor.
Taste test to see if you want a stronger spice flavor.
If you want a stronger spice flavor, return the plan to the stove and continue to simmer until desired spice level is achieved.
After the water reaches the desired flavor, remove from the heat, add desired sweetener and let cool until about room temperature.
Strain all spices and transfer to an airtight jar.
Add vanilla extract and place into the fridge.
Using Your Chai Concentrate
To make an iced chai latte, add one third to one half parts chai concentrate to milk of choice to a cup with ice and enjoy!
To make a hot chai latte, add equal parts chai concentrate and milk of choice to a sauce pan until it begins to steam. Add warm chai latte to your cup of choice and enjoy!
Homemade Chai Concentrate FAQ:
What tea does chai concentrate use?
Chai is traditionally made with a black tea. For some, using tea bags will be the easiest, most available or most affordable. If you enjoy loose leaf tea, feel free to find your favorite loose leaf black tea for this concentrate.
Can this chai concentrate be made caffeine free?
If you’re looking for an option that doesn’t have any caffeine, the most common option would be to use a rooibos tea. Rooibos tea will give a similar flavor without caffeine.
What’s the difference between Chai and Chai Tea?
In India where chai originates, chai is the Hindu word for tea. So, if you call this drink a “chai tea” the translation would mean you’ve said “tea tea”.
What spices are in Homemade Chai Concentrate?
The spices of this chai concentrate include cinnamon sticks, star anise, all spice, cloves, cardamom, black peppercorns and ginger.
Homemade Chai Concentrate
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Glass Jar with an airtight lid
- Small fine mesh strainer
- Funnel Optional
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp Ginger Powder
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks each 3 inches in length
- 1 Star Anise
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 Allspice
- 7 Whole Cloves
- 10 Cardamom Pods
- 15 Black Peppercorns
- 5 cups Water
- 5 Black Tea Bags or 5 tsp loose leaf black tea
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
- In your medium stockpot, gently toast whole spices on medium heat until fragrant.
- Add water to the spices.
- Place on high heat until boiling then reduce to a simmer for 10 min.
- After 10 minutes, remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- After resting for 5 minutes, add black tea.
- Steep the black tea for no longer than 2 minutes. Removing the tea after 2 minutes will ensure you avoid a bitter flavor.
- Taste test to see if you want a stronger spice flavor.
- If you want a stronger spice flavor, return the plan to the stove and continue to simmer until desired spice level is achieved.
- After the water reaches the desired flavor, remove from the heat, add desired sweetener and let cool until about room temperature.
- Strain all spices and transfer to an airtight jar.
- Add vanilla extract and place into the fridge.
Using Your Chai Concentrate
- To make an iced chai latte, add one third to one half parts chai concentrate to milk of choice to a cup with ice and enjoy!
- To make a hot chai latte, add equal parts chai concentrate and milk of choice to a sauce pan until it begins to steam. Add warm chai latte to your cup of choice and enjoy!
