What is in Chai Tea?
Chai tea is a tea infusion made by blending together a combination of herbs, spices, and black tea. As chai tea has become increasingly popular in the West, it’s now possible to find a wide variety of formulations in cafes and stores. However, each chai tea will contain a base of spices as listed below.
Spices in Chai Tea:
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- Black pepper: Black pepper gives chai a spicy flavor.
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- Cardamom: Cardamom contributes a bite of flavor and its own unique spicy flavor.
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- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is the most widely used spice in chai tea, giving it a warm sweetness and unmistakable flavor.
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- Cloves: Cloves add a unique flavor to chai tea, as well as a hint of sweetness.
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- Ginger: Ginger adds a pleasantly tangy flavor to chai tea.
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- Allspice: Allspice adds an even deeper, round and spicier flavor to chai tea.
In addition to these aromatics, chai teas usually contain black tea leaves that have been steeped in hot water. Depending on the region of origin and the recipe, some chai tea recipes may also include ingredients like nutmeg, vanilla extract, anise, honey, and other spices.
Chai tea’s unique blend of spices makes it a favorite beverage among tea drinkers all over the world. Whether you are a fan of bold, spiced flavors or prefer something light and subtle, you can always find a chai tea blend to suit your palate.
