Description
A versatile, homemade vanilla chai concentrate that saves time and money while delivering complex, café-quality flavor. Made with fresh ginger, real vanilla, and whole spices, this naturally sweetened base can be used for hot lattes, iced chai, or baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups water
- 4–6 black tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea)
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 4–5 cardamom pods
- 4–5 whole cloves
- 4–5 black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- A tiny pinch of pink salt
- Optional: 1 star anise pod, freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Prep the spices and ginger: Peel and grate the ginger. Crack open the cardamom pods and crush the peppercorns slightly.
- Simmer the spices: Combine water, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, peppercorns, fennel seeds, and grated ginger in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Add the tea: Turn off the heat. Add the black tea bags (or loose leaf tea in an infuser). Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Do not boil the tea.
- Sweeten and flavor: Remove the tea bags. Stir in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice if desired.
- Strain and cool: Strain the concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or jar. Discard solids. Let cool to room temperature (about 10-15 minutes).
- Store: Seal the jar and refrigerate. Use within 2 weeks.
Notes
Do not boil the black tea as it will become bitter. Always let the concentrate cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation and glass cracking. Crush cardamom pods to release flavor. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup concentrate mi
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 4
Keywords: chai concentrate, vanilla chai, homemade chai latte, chai recipe, spice tea, morning drink, naturally sweetened chai