Pinterest has taken over everyone’s life lately. It seems as if everyone is either making something they found on Pinterest or talking about something they found on Pinterest. And I’m no different. My Pinterest page is filled with amazing things; some of which I’ve made, some of which I’ll never make, and most of which I just gush about. I even wrote about it at textdrivebys.com twice…
This chai concentrate from Tasty Yummies is one of the ones I’ve actually both pinned and made.
;
November is doing it’s best to get fully settled in. It’s been very, very cold, and as a matter of fact in addition to hurricane Sandy hammering us last week, tomorrow we’re getting a Nor’easter! Gusty winds, heavy rains and even snow in some places. So it’s time for warm drinks & spicy flavors. Hot cider, hot chocolate, hot tea. One chilly Sunday I was browsing Pinterest, looking at things I had been pinning for something interesting to create, and I noticed this chai concentrate that I had pinned way back in August. As soon as I saw the stunning photo of it in a Mason jar (how could I turn away!?) I pinned it. I’m not a massive chai person, but I do enjoy it every now & then. And it’s worth it to me to try a homemade version because I really never buy it when I’m out. I usually prefer a coffee. So when I do have chai, it’s at home. And I love some pre-made brands, and some tea companies versions of it. But sometimes it’s just not the same.
The history of chai is quite a rich one, despite most people only knowing it from it’s existence in lattes at Starbucks.
Masala chai (literally “mixed-spice tea”) is a beverage from India made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs.
Plain chai
By itself, chai or cha is merely the generic word for “tea” in many European and Asian languages. The widespread form chai comes from Persian چای chay. Street vendors called “chai wallahs” (sometimes spelled “chaiwalas”) are a common sight, although coffee is a more popular beverage in some southern parts of India. Chai is also a popular item in restaurants known as Irani cafés or the genre of South Asian restaurants known as Chai Khanas or Ghahve Khane.
Spiced tea
For many English speakers, the term “chai” is synonymous with masala chai, as further described below. The redundant chai tea is sometimes used to indicate spiced milk tea as distinct from other types of tea. Numerous coffee houses use the term chai latte for their version to indicate that the steamed milk of a normal latte is being flavored with a spiced tea concentrate instead of with espresso, without necessarily implying the addition of coffee. Some coffeehouses and brand names refer to their product as chai tea latte.
The beverage is locally known as Chai karak in the Middle East.
And might I add… DELICIOUS. And this homemade concentrate is also easy. Cheap, too. But at the same time it’s quick- it takes no time at all, and it makes your house smell absolutely amazing. The smell alone is worth it! Just like the homemade pumpkin spice latte mix I posted about last month, if you’re a chai lover who buys a lot of chai lattes, this could totally save you some money.
HOMEMADE CHAI CONCENTRATE (adapted minimally from Tasty Yummies)
Yields: 1 batch of concentrate, approximately 4 cups
Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 8 bags black tea – I used PG tips
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 1/3 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 2 whole star anise pods
- 1/2 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
- Add the water and sugar to a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil over a medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and put in the tea bags, cheesecloth pouch and cinnamon sticks. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat strain the concentrate through a sieve, separating the large pieces (tea begs/cinnamon sticks/cardamom pods/anise/cloves/etc) from the mix. At this point, add your vanilla extract & honey. Stir to combine.
- Allow the mixture to cool before pouring it into an airtight jar or container. This amount fits perfectly into a 1-quart mason jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To use it, mix one part concentrate with one part milk or milk-like product of your choice. Heat the concentrate for a hot version, pour over ice for a cold version.
;
I used ground cardamom & ground ginger, I had fresh ginger but it was frozen & I didn’t feel like defrosting it so I could cut it (it’s a pretty large hunk, and yes I freeze my extra ginger). I didn’t have any cardamom pods but I had a large jar of it ground, so I opted to substitute that. Also, the original recipe called for a whole vanilla bean, coconut sugar & raw honey- I only had regular sugar, brown sugar, a small amount of German rock sugar (for my tea) & sugar cubes myself, so I made an executive decision. If you want to use another kind of sugar, go right ahead, but you might want to read what she says her results were first. My honey wasn’t raw either, but I don’t think that makes much of a difference taste-wise. All of my vanilla beans were being made into homemade vanilla extract at the time, so I had to use some vanilla extract instead. If you like a spicier chai, add more peppercorns. If you like a sweeter chai, add more sugar. Likewise… if you prefer a less sweet chai then just use less sugar/honey. What you use in it is totally up to you. And as a matter of fact, this mix makes a nice hostess gift, too. Tie some raffia around the top with some cinnamon sticks & handwritten instructions, and you’re good to go. And if you know someone who was in the path of Hurricane Sandy who has no power but still has a gas stove to heat it up with, maybe bring them some, along with some food.
As for me? I’ll be drinking some later tonight watching the 2012 Presidential election returns. Make sure you registered U.S. voters get out there today & do your duty! It’s a privilege to be able to push that little lever or fill in that circle on paper, so get your lazy, apathetic asses out there. And to everyone who already voted; good for you. It’s not even 8 a.m. & you’ve already made more of a difference than most people will all day. And if you’re one of those people affected by Sandy, you can still vote. Download a mail-in ballot or call your local elected officials to find out where to go to vote in New Jersey, or if you’re in NY you can click here & find out where to go (and in turn pass it on!). I know you’re all dealing with so many other things, but voting is going to continue; no matter what election day will not be suspended. And it’s so important to get your vote in. So please, try and get as many folks as you can to the polls today.
And if you remain unaffected, if you’re safe, warm & dry today, and you know where you’ll be voting & that you’ll be coming home afterwards… then especially be thankful for that.
;;
Mmm, I can smell that wonderful spicy chai smell just by reading. Doesn’t look tough to make. I’m so in!
xo
girlintheyellowdress.com
It was so easy, really. And fun too!
Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring…
I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a bit out
of track! come on!
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the
issues. It was really informative. Your site is very useful.
Thank you for sharing!
Fastidious answers in return of this query with genuine arguments and explaining
everything about that.
Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform
are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be awesome if you could point me in the
direction of a good platform.
Outstanding story there. What happened after? Thanks!
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t understand afterward
its up to other viewers that they will help, so here it happens.
It’s amazing designed for me to have a web site, which is useful designed for my knowledge.
thanks admin
If some one wants expert view concerning blogging afterward
i recommend him/her to visit this website, Keep up the nice job.
If some one wishes to be updated with newest technologies after that he must be go
to see this website and be up to date all the time.
Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person’s web site link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same for you.|
I do agree with all of the ideas you have presented to your post.
They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for novices.
May just you please lengthen them a little from next time?
Thanks for the post.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I to
find this matter to be really something
that I think I’d never understand. It seems too complex and extremely wide for me.
I’m taking a look ahead in your next put up, I will attempt to get the hang of it!
Fantastic items from you, man. I have take into account your stuff prior to and you’re simply too fantastic.
I really like what you have got right here, really like what you are saying and the
way in which you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it
smart. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a great website.
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles
or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web
site. Reading this information So i’m happy to
exhibit that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling
I found out just what I needed. I most indubitably will
make sure to do not overlook this site and provides it a look on a relentless basis.