How to Make Chai with Green Tea

Chai, the exotic and aromatic tea blend, is typically made with rich black tea. However, for those who prefer a lighter, lower caffeine alternative, you may be wondering, can you make chai with green tea? Absolutely! This post will guide you through each step of making a luscious and healthful green tea chai.

Ingredients for Green Tea Chai

To create your own delightful green tea chai, you will need the following ingredients:

• Green tea bags or loose-leaf green tea
• Spices: ginger, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves
• Optional: milk (whole milk, almond milk, or other alternatives)
• Optional: sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or sugar

Preparing the Spice Blend

The heart of any good chai is its spice blend. Gather spices such as

• Cinnamon sticks
• Green cardamom pods
• Whole cloves
• Star anise
• Black peppercorns

These spices should be crushed or ground into smaller pieces to release their full flavor. This will form the base of your green tea chai.

Simmering the Spice Mixture

Bring your spice blend and water to a boil. It is crucial to let it simmer for a minimum of 10 minutes but ideally up to 45 minutes. This will allow the spices to meld together, creating a harmonious and rich flavor profile. The longer the spices simmer, the more profound the taste.

Steeping the Green Tea

While your spice mixture is simmering, it’s time to steep your green tea. Use hot water and steep your green tea bags or loose-leaf tea for 3-6 minutes. Be careful not to steep too long, as green tea tends to become bitter.

Combining the Tea and Spice Mixture

Once your spice blend is ready, it’s time to bring everything together. Strain the spice mixture into the pot of steeped green tea, ensuring that all the spices are discarded. This will leave you with a beautifully aromatic base.

Adding Milk and Sweetener

To create that creamy texture synonymous with chai, add your choice of milk:

• Whole milk
• Almond milk
• Oat milk

Sweeten your chai to taste using honey, maple syrup, or sugar. Adjust the sweetness according to your preference.

Creating a Frothy Latte

If you’re a fan of creamy, frothy chai lattes, you can take an extra step. Froth your milk using an immersion blender or high-speed blender until you achieve the desired frothiness. This will turn your green tea chai into a luxurious, café-style latte.

Customizing with Additional Ingredients

Experiment with additional ingredients for health benefits or added flavor. Consider options such as:

• Reishi
• Chaga
• Collagen powder
• Other adaptogens

These can be added to your green tea chai for a personalized touch.

Storing and Reusing Spices

Don’t discard those valuable spices just yet! They can be stored and reused to make additional batches of chai. Simply keep them in the refrigerator or freezer for future use.

Variations and Alternatives

For those looking to experiment further, there are numerous variations and alternatives to green tea chai. Mix green tea with black tea, or use matcha instead. Explore different sweeteners and milks to find your perfect combination. For more inspiration, you can refer to Happy Mothering’s recipe for a homemade green tea chai latte, or check out Rebecca Katz’s blend for a unique twist.