Archive for the ‘Chai Tea’ Category

Healthy Life: The Benefits of Chai Tea

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: July 14, 2009

These days people are looking for healthier foods to fill their lives. The problem is that so many things that are good for you do not taste very good. You know what they say, the first part of the word diet is die. What we need is to find healthy alternatives that taste good and satisfy us so that they quell hunger and please the soul. Food shouldn’t be a chore.

If you are a tea lover, there is good news. There are benefits to chai tea that will allow you to have a guilt free tea party. Depending on how it is prepared the benefits of chai tea can far outweigh any detriments.

Hot Tea: Medicine or Drink

Now I know what you’re thinking. Hot tea is more like medicine. Isn’t hot tea what you want if you have sore throat? Well, there is that, but prepared correctly hot tea can be both delicious and nutritious, especially chai.

Chai tea is a traditional Indian drink consisting of black tea with various spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger. It is served hot with lots of milk and sugar. Indians drink it early and often consuming most of the world’s supply. They also enjoy the benefits of chai tea.

Tea is rich in anti-oxidants that can bolster the immune system and in some cases even promote heart health and weight loss. In addition, the various spices in chai tea provide healthy effects as have been demonstrated in traditional medicine through the centuries. One of the benefits of chai tea is healthy digestion. Indians are known to drink it after a spicy meal to avoid heart burn and indigestion.

Also, using sugar substitutes instead of refined white sugar can accentuate the benefits of chai tea. You may also try unrefined sugar or a drizzle of honey. If milk is a concern try skim or soy to lower fat content and cholesterol. There are many ways to serve chai tea and cut back the calories without cutting back the flavor.

A sweet beverage is always better than a heavy dessert even if there is sugar in it. You can control the amount of sugar in the tea and it will be filling and satisfy your sweet tooth in a more reasonable manner. The benefits of chai tea are many but because of the milk content one of the unexpected ones may be that it is filling. If you feel full you are less likely to eat something that is bad for you.

When making food choices you could do worse than chai tea. The benefits of chai tea outweigh most concerns and it is delicious. You can’t go wrong with chai tea.

The Scoop on Chai Tea Caffeine

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: July 7, 2009

There are many benefits of chai tea, but chai tea caffeine can be a concern. Caffeine affects people in many different ways and too much caffeine can disturb the sleep cycle as well as cause nervousness and jittery feelings. Long term use of caffeine has not been fully studied so there is debate about the effects of chai tea caffeine.

Some Facts

Chai tea caffeine comes in different amounts depending on how the tea is prepared. If the tea is long leafed and not cut or ground it produces less caffeine. If you are using cut tea you will get more of a jolt. Also, how long tea is brewed will affect the caffeine content. Tea brewed longer will contain more caffeine.

Chai tea caffeine will also depend on how long tea ferments. If the tea is fully fermented it will contain much more caffeine. Chai tea caffeine can inhibit the enjoyment especially for those who are sensitive to caffeine.

Some Tips

To avoid too much chai tea caffeine it is best to buy long leaf tea, tea that hasn’t been cut into smaller amounts. Brew the tea in the shortest amount of time you can without sacrificing flavor. The hotter the water, the shorter the time needed for a good cup of tea. If you are really sensitive to caffeine try not to drink caffeinated beverages late in the day. It is a good rule of thumb not to use caffeine four hours before bedtime to avoid tossing and turning.

Also, if black tea is a problem you can always use green tea which has naturally less caffeine because it is not fermented like other types of teas such as black tea or oolong tea.

Chai tea caffeine can be reduced or even eliminated without sacrificing the flavor or the experience. You don’t have to sacrifice taste to get rid of caffeine. But even if you have chai tea caffeine, it probably will have a small effect. The effects of caffeine usually last no more than fifteen to forty-five minutes after consumption, although that can be considerably longer depending on the dose. If you are drinking a cup of tea you will probably not get an extreme jolt like you would with some sodas or energy drinks.

Understanding caffeine, both amounts and effects can help you understand how it will affect your body. Don’t be afraid to enjoy a good cup of tea. Chai tea caffeine is low compared to some products and the overall affect is one of relaxation. Enjoy the ride.

Smoothness Personified: Vanilla Chai Tea

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: June 9, 2009

Chai tea is one of the staples of Indian cuisine. It is the most common of all the tea blends available there and offers a distinctive flavor that can make you feel like you are at a sidewalk café in Mumbai. Vanilla chai tea is a tasty take off on the popular drink.

Where Chai Come From

Traditional chai is made with black tea and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves and pepper. When drank hot, it offers a delicious, relaxing experience. Adding a touch of vanilla offers a creaminess that is unsurpassed. The best way to enjoy vanilla chai tea is to brew it, serve it hot with sugar and milk for a smooth, comforting experience. Chai tea caffeine is low, so it will give the right pick me up without making you jittery.

Best Recipes

Gourmet teas can get expensive, but with some basic ingredient you can make a delicious mix that can last a long time. Vanilla chai tea can be made using instant tea along with several other dry ingredients including dry milk, non-dairy creamer(French vanilla), sugar and traditional chai spices. Mix the dry ingredients in a blender to avoid grittiness and store them in an air tight container to have plenty to go around.

If you want to go more high end, you can combine spices and loose black tea and steep it the old fashioned way adding hot milk and sugar for a delicious treat. This will not last as long or make as much, but the taste is incredible.

For the diet conscious sugar can be replaced with sweet and low, Splenda, or any other sugar substitute. Vanilla chai tea can replace more fattening desserts if you have a sweet tooth and there are many health benefits to tea including a good blast of anti-oxidants that can both fight off infections and suppress appetite.

Vanilla chai tea can also be made in an iced tea form. You can use boiling water to steep the tea. Then pour the steeped tea into cold water adding sugar, milk and more water as needed. Just be sure to double the strength of the hot tea as it will be diluted in the cold water and will loose flavor easily. If made right vanilla chai tea can be a refreshing drink on a hot summer day.

However you serve it or drink it, vanilla chai tea is a fantastic pick me up and will satisfy body and mind. Whether hot or cold, you can enjoy the benefits and pleasures of this beverage guilt free and easy.

Tazo Chai Tea at Starbucks

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: June 9, 2009

You can find pretty much whatever beverage you want when you head to Starbucks, even the ever so popular Tazo Chai tea, which is delicious and loved by even some of your favorite celebrities. The Tazo Chai tea has a very distinct, unique flavor, one that definitely leaves you loving it and wanting more.

The Tazo line of tea is all fantastic in fact, and there are many flavors to choose from other than Chai such as the vanilla Chai tea which is well loved as well.

The Company

Before you try the Tao Chai tea for yourself, you are going to want to learn a bit more about the company and understand why so many people love them. For one, the Tazo Company is considered as being one of the most popular tea manufactures in the world. They are known for their large and vast selection of tea and other products.

You can even get organic tea through this company if this is something that you are interested in, because many people prefer to drink the organic tea which they know is more natural. There are also decaffeinated teas that are available through the Tazo Company and at your local Starbucks.

If Tazo Chai tea is your preference, you are going to want to head down to your favorite Starbucks and make an order.

This Tazo Chai tea is a full bodied blend of exotic teas and spices and will be perfect if you enjoy black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla flavors.

The biggest difference between the Tazo tea company and others is that in the quality of the teas. Sure you could go through any other company and get tea but you will taste the difference when you go with the Tazo tea.

You can also purchase the Tazo teas at your local supermarket if you would rather make the tea yourself instead of heading to a café. This way you know that you will be able to make it perfectly to your preferences, with as much milk and sugar as you want. On the other hand, if you are familiar with your Starbucks because you go there on a regular basis, they will probably remember just how to make your beverage and so you know that you can go there.

This is one type of tea that you are definitely going to want to try if you have not already because it is so unique and delicious.

Coming up With a Chai Tea Recipe

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: June 9, 2009

If you love Chai tea, then you are going to want to know how to come up with a Chai tea recipe for Tazo Chai tea or any other type. Fortunately, because this Chai tea recipe is so popular, there are actually quite a few different recipes that you will probably be interested in.

Recipe Ideas

Now if you want a great Chai tea recipe, here is one that you are definitely going to want to try. For it you are going to need 7 cups water, 1 tbsp fennel or anise seed, 6 green cardamom pods, 12 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1/4” ginger root sliced thinly, ¼ tsp black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, 2 tbsp black tea, 6 tbsp honey and 1 cup of milk.

This is a tasty Chai tea recipe that is very simple to make. All you have to do is take a saucepan and combine the first eight ingredients and then you cover and bring to a medium boil for about five minutes. After this you want to turn off the heat, and make sure that you don’t overcook it because this is going to result in a not so nice tasting tea, and then you want to let it steep for about ten minutes.

Now this is not all because after this you want to add the tea and bring it back to a boil again. You want to simmer this for about five minutes and then add some honey or rock sugar and milk. This will make the tea sweeter and taste better. This will make about eight cups and obviously you can double or triple the recipe as you need.

Another great Chai tea recipe is to use 4 slices fresh ginger cut, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, 1 heaping spoon of powdered cardamom, 1 6-inch vanilla bean, dash nutmeg, 1 heaping tsp sugar, 1 ¼ cup honey, 3 Darjeeling blend tea bags, 2 cups water, and 2 cups of milk.

Now you want to bring 2 cups water to a boil and add the teabags and then the other ingredients after that. You want to reduce the heat and then simmer this for five minutes and make sure that you watch the time because you don’t want to let it overcook.

Stir occasionally and then add the milk and bring to a boil, then take off the heat. Strain through the strainer or coffee filters and serve hot or in a tall glass filled with ice.

Chai tea is delicious and you are definitely going to want to try, and you can even head to your local Starbucks to get one.

How to Make a Chai Tea Latte

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: June 8, 2009

Chai tea is one of the most popular types of tea today, and if you want to try it yourself you could go head to your local Starbucks, or you could make your own Chai tea latte right at home. There are some delicious Chai tea latte recipes that are super easy to make, and all you have to do is find a Chai tea recipe that you think you will like, get all the ingredients, and you are good to go.

How to Make Chai Tea at Home

So you know that you want to make a Chai tea latte at home, but how do you do it? It is very easy, and this is the perfect recipe for you to try. You are going to need 1 ½ cups of water, 1 ½ inch stick of cinnamon, 8 cardamom pods, ¼ inch fresh ginger root, 2/3 cup milk, 6 teaspoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons of Darjeeling tea leaves.

Now for this Chai tea latte recipe you want to start by placing the water into a pot. Now you want to add in the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger in the pot as well. Now once you have brought this mixture to a boil, and add the milk and sugar. Now bring it back to a boil and then allow to simmer.

Now you want to add the tea leaves, and remove the heat and cover. Now you just let it steep for about five minutes and strain. Now you can serve to yourself and your guests and enjoy.

Remember that you can mix up the ingredients here and there to meet yours and others preferences. You can add in lots of different flavors to make the tea taste however you want, but these are the basic ingredients that you are going to want to include for the great Chai tea taste.

Not only is the Chai tea latte delicious but there are even health benefits that are you get when you have a cup of the tea. More than anything, when you are drinking the tea it is hot and warming up your body and so you instantly feel relaxed. If you get the right atmosphere, for instance if you are taking a bath or sitting in a dim room reading a book while having your tea, you will see how you are pretty much instantly relaxed and calmer than you were before.

What is Chai Tea?

Posted in Chai Tea
Post date: June 2, 2009

There are over one hundred different types of tea that you could try, and the Chai is one of the most popular types. This tea is based on a black tea and is then blended with cardamom, cloves, coriander, cumin seed, sweet cumin seeds, curry leaves, lemon grass, rampe leaves, and is best enjoyed with milk and sugar to taste.

Whenever people taste this tea one of the first things that they talk about is how aromatic the tea is, and how calming drinking a steeping cup of the tea is.

We have all heard of our favorite celebrities running into Starbucks to order their favorite Chai tea drink, but do you really know what Chai tea is? Whether it is a Chai tea latte or any other type of Chai tea, you obviously want to learn more about it and understand what it actually is before you try it out for yourself.

What it is

Now if you want to know what Chai tea is, the first thing that you want to know is that it is a spicy type of tea. There are a lot of terms that could be used to describe this tea, but spicy is definitely one of the best. Chai tea is very aromatic, so you get the same soothing, warming feeling as you do when drinking any type of tea, but you also get the aromatherapy benefits.

If you want to make a traditional Chai tea, you are going to want to gather fresh spices from an Asian or Indian market. This way you are going to get the most authentic tasting tea, and you want to include chopped ginger root as well. Now there are other ingredients that you could include as well, but these are the basic ingredients.

Remember to experiment and have fun with it when you are brewing up a Chai tea for yourself, but you really always want to keep the basic ingredients because these are what make the tea Chai, and so unique and different from other flavors.

This tea is really delicious and has flavors that you won’t get with any other type of tea. If you have never tried this tea out before, then you are definitely going to want to. Remember, you can make your own tea with a recipe like this, or you can head to any café and they are sure to offer a grand selection for you to choose from.