Any Chai drinkers out there?

I've become addicted to Starbucks Chai Tea Latte. The problem is Starbucks is expensive. So I'm wondering if anyone has a good receipe for Chia Tea Latte? I've been trying, but I can't get it just right.

I don't think that I have had a Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks, but when I am making Chai at home, I use Oregon Chai (it is a liquid) and vanilla soymilk. That makes a pretty respectable iced Chai.

I use Celestial Seasonings Chai Spice tea. I brew it in a teapot. I use regular soy milk - milk in the cup before the tea, as they do with their tea in the UK, then a sweetener.

But....mmmmm.....vanilla soy milk in it sounds great!!! I think I'll try that.

Twinings Indian Spice Chai is also very good.

I really like the Good Earth brand for teas. It is about $4 for a box, but if you buy it in bulk from Amazon you can save some money.

I usually use soy milk in my tea, but if I want more of a dessert I'll use condensed milk. Condensed milk makes the tea very sweet and rich tasting.

I second Oregon Chai as my favorite. I used to swear by the one Starbucks uses (name escaping me at the moment), but then I moved to Portland, went to Costco one day and found they have a three pack of those vacuum-pack boxes of Oregon Chai. I bought some, and haven't looked back. It's not as heavy in the spice department.

Now, I'm a cold chai drinker... and although I have done Soy milk, it does change the flavor. If the Chai you get at SB has soy, then stick with it, but if you're doig milk, then use milk.

I go half and half in my mix: I fill t he glass a little under half with the Chai concentrate, then fill to a little under the rim with milk. I stir, then enjoy. It's not hard. If you want it a little stronger, then more chai, less milk.

Many grocery stores are carrying the Chai concentrate nowadays... Trader Joe's, Safeway I believe also has it. You can also get it in tea bag form, but if you want quick and easy, the concentrate is excellent. I suggest trying Oregon Chai, then if you don't like it, try another one...

Amanda

I have had the Starbucks Chai before. I also use the this one sometimes http://www.oregonchai.com/. Here is another link if you want to make your own. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/reci...authentic.html
I use Soymilk though.
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/ChaiTea.htm
http://ask.metafilter.com/70199/Chai-Tea-fix
I also get chai tea at the smoothie place sometimes.
i have bought the mix in the can but I do not remember the name of it.

I just found out recently you really are supposed to make it with milk/cream. We get the Chai Tea and just drink it with only sugar. So I'm no help.....

I have nothing to add since everyone is so helpful... the only thing i wanted too add is.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM Chaaaiiiii ttttteeeaaaaa Yuuuummmmmmm

Thats it LOL.

My room mate drinks it all the time and she really likes Oregon brand!

Originally Posted by silvionc

I have nothing to add since everyone is so helpful... the only thing i wanted too add is.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM Chaaaiiiii ttttteeeaaaaa Yuuuummmmmmm

Thats it LOL.

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I get vanilla chai from a little local coffee shop on occasion, and it is DELICIOUS.

But now I really want to try the Oregon Chai. It sounds awesome, and I could make it at home!!!

I guess I'll have to try to find Oregon brind. I bought some Tazo, it's a very bitter tea I've been adding Milk & sugar, but it's just not right. I did notice it does not have any nutmeg in it. I also want to buy some honey and try that instead of sugar.

Tazo... that's what Starbucks uses... much too heavily spiced and yes, a bit tart...

Oregon is the best I've had so far... You should be able to find it with the tea at larger grocery store.

Amanda

Originally Posted by Rang_27

I guess I'll have to try to find Oregon brind. I bought some Tazo, it's a very bitter tea I've been adding Milk & sugar, but it's just not right. I did notice it does not have any nutmeg in it. I also want to buy some honey and try that instead of sugar.

Click to expand...

Not sure what is available where you are at, but I use Epicure Selections Chai Tea mix. It's a blend of black teas and spices, including cloves, cinnamon and dried orange peels. To make it, you heat milk, or soy milk, over the stove and add the dry mix. You let it steep and add whatever sweetener you prefer. When it's done, you strain it into cups and discard the leftover spices.

I don't like commercial chai mixes as they are far too sweet for me, and they just seem too processed.

I use Stash brand chai tea bags...too much stuff added to the liquid ready to pour chai teas, that I can't have.

Naw, tried it once and didn't like it although DH loves them. My idea of a Starbucks special is a "Why bother?" Caffeine free coffee with non-fat milk and artificial sweetners.

I LOVE CHAI!!!! I mix chocolate chai with rasberry chai!

You don't need a recipe for Chai, it's like hot chocolate, a dry mix. I don't think I've ever seen a coffee shop ever make chai. They buy a bag of mix for $20 and sell about 50 chai teas at $4 a cup.

You can order the mixes online!

Ok, I found you a link!!! They all have caffine and sugar unless the label states otherwise. Big Train is another brand of Chai, it's good, but David Rio is way better. Tiger Spice (pictured in the link) and Green Tea Chai are my favorites (from David Reo), you find the other fun flavors from Big Train.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...US279%26sa%3DN


Green Tea, my #1 favorite! $8.75 for 1lb. That will make quite a few Chais. Coffee shops sometimes sell them right in the shop.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...US279%26sa%3DN


David Rio is what most coffee shops use. It's really tastey! It's a dry mix and you just add hot milk. You can also make a cold chai! Those are in the summer. You heat up a small amount of milk, enough to desolve the powder mix, poor it over ice, and fill the rest with cold milk. It's soooooo good!

(I used to work in a coffee shop)

I just buy the Chai Tea in the tea bags, then I add 3 diet sugar's, and some milk. I like it better that way than Starbucks. To me Starbucks is too bland. I like it stronger and spicier.

Forgive my naivete, but... what makes it chai? Is it an ingredient, or a type of tealeaf, or the way it's prepared...?

I've never had one because I'm a little shaken by the concept of putting milk in tea, but... millions of Brits can't be all wrong, hm? Maybe I'll give it a try...