Definition of Chai Tea
Chai tea lattes are served in most coffeehouses across the U.S. This spicy tea mixture is a soothing and warming drink that has become increasingly popular over the past few decades. The flavor and health benefits make it a great alternative to coffee. The masala chai that is used in making a chai tea is based on a traditional herbal remedy from India. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
Masala chai has a history of more than 5,000 years in India. The spiced, milky tea mixture has been served both hot and iced and for its health benefits as well as its taste. Many popular mixtures of masala chai today are derived from ancient herbal mixtures that were used for healing thousands of years ago in India. Chai tea has become popular in the U.S., with coffeehouses across the country serving variations and masala chai mixtures available in many stores.
Definition
-
The word "chai" literally means "tea" in the Indian language of Hindi and "masala" means "spiced." The spices are steeped in warm milk, and then the tea is brewed within the spiced milk. This spiced milk and tea mixture is then served hot or chilled. In the U.S. and many international coffeehouses, there are now popular drinks that are called chai tea lattes. This is a masala chai but named in such a way that it is understood immediately by most people that it is a milky tea drink.
-
Features
-
A traditional masala chai is made using black tea, a mixture of spices and milk. The spices can differ from recipe to recipe, but many consist of different amounts of cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom, ginger and star anise. Some mixtures incorporate mint or nutmeg, vanilla or chocolate. The preferred tea for a masala chai mixture is a strong black tea such as darjeeling, ceylon or assam. Sweeteners that may be used include white sugar, brown sugar, honey or coconut sugar. The milk that is used is generally a whole milk, though condensed milk may be used as a dual milk and sweetener. The milk may be mixed with water to make a slightly less rich drink.
Types
-
Chai tea can be served hot or chilled over ice. In the U.S., it may even be served frozen as a type of milkshake. There are now concentrated tea mixtures available in stores that can be mixed with milk for an almost instant chai drink. There are also dry instant mixes available. Many coffeehouses are now offering a chai and espresso mixed drink that may be called a "java chai" or a "red-eye chai." Chai tea can be made using a wide variety of spices and with different mixtures and amounts of tea, spices and milk. It can be made in countless ways to please any palate.
Benefits
-
Chai tea has less caffeine than coffee drinks and has numerous health benefits. Black tea is full of antioxidants that are beneficial. Depending on the types of spices used in the blend, chai tea can benefit your heart, lungs, kidney, circulation and respiratory systems, mood, metabolism, and immunity and digestive systems.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit sxc.hu/malamantra/Meghan Anderson-Colangelo
