Description
A bold, aromatic tea concentrate perfect for lattes, iced teas, and smoothies. Brewed with whole spices and black tea for authentic chai flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups water
- 8–10 black tea bags (or 8 Tbsp loose-leaf Assam tea)
- 6–8 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 4–6 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 4 whole black peppercorns (optional)
- ½–1 cup sugar or sweetener of choice
- 1 vanilla bean, split (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- Optional: star anise, nutmeg, or a pinch of turmeric
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and peppercorns. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, add tea bags or loose leaf tea (in a mesh infuser). Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and steep an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and spices using a fine mesh strainer. While still warm, stir in sugar or sweetener until fully dissolved. Add vanilla extract or scrape vanilla bean seeds into the concentrate.
- Strain concentrate through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle. Seal and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- Dilute 1 part concentrate with 1–4 parts water or milk. Heat or serve over ice, garnish if desired.
Notes
Try freezing portions in ice cube trays for convenient single-serve use. Customize spices based on your flavor preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (diluted)
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg