Smell the aroma of a homemade chai latte with a recipe using whole ingredients like cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, cardamom, star anises, peppercorns, cloves and milk. The brilliant taste of warm spices tickle the taste buds and create a delightful cozy feeling while watching the snow flakes fall!

I was first introduced to a homemade chai latte through my friend Robbie. He brought our office staff each a cup of warm flavoured milk which turned out to be a homemade chai tea latte made with whole ingredients.

When I asked about the process in creating the tasty chai, he told me it entailed a combination of crushed spices and then steeping it like tea on the stovetop before the milk is added at the end.

Using strong flavourful spices can be an intimidating endeavour. So, making chai from scratch using whole spices was beautifully fearful.

I have tasted a Starbucks chai tea latte and at other local coffee chains’ chai tea lattes. But none of these compared to the flavour-filled experience of a homemade chai tea latte. Not forgetting to mention the health benefits of wholesome spices without the added sugars.

It is worthwhile trying things that seem challenging because the outcome is so rewarding. In this case, making chai tea latte from whole spices is actually very easy to do. Once you have tried it yourself, you will continue making chai tea lattes this way for the rest of time.

Directions

When you are craving some delicious chai flavours, pull out the following whole spices from your spice cabinet:

cinnamon sticks
cardamom pods
peppercorns
cloves
star anises, and
ginger

Begin by adding water to a small pot on your stovetop. Turn up the heat to bring the water to a boil.

While the water is heating, add the cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anises.

Crush the cardamom pods and peppercorns to better release their flavours while it steeps. To do this, hold the knife on its side so that the width of the blade is directly over the whole spice. With one hand in a fist (that will be the right hand for most), pound the top of the left hand to apply force to the top of the blade. This should crush the spices easily. The whole spices might need to be crushed individually. Apply a few deft blows to bring this about!

Add the crushed spices and diced ginger to the boiling water.

close up fingers cut fresh ginger with knife

When the water reaches boiling point, turn heat down to a slow, soft boil.

Let the spices steep for at least 10 minutes. To get intense flavour, the spices could steep on a slow boil for several hours. Just keep an eye on the water level and top up as necessary.

To proceed with the delicious chai tea latte, add milk to the pot and allow for a slow and steady boil for another 10 minutes (the milk must be piping hot).

Pour the chai into a cup using a strainer to catch any whole spices.

Enjoy this delicious homemade chai tea latte and remember to add notes to the recipe to adjust quantities for more enhanced flavours next time you prepare a delightful cup of chai tea latte.

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Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Tools

The equipment I used for this receipt is a small pot, strainer, knife and cutting board.

If you don’t have a strainer, you could look around your local thrift store for a small strainer. Or purchase a strainer here.

If you are in the market for new pots that are excellent quality, consider the line of Zwilling pots and pans. We love ours!

Print Recipe

Homemade Chai Tea Latte

A homemade chai latte recipe with whole ingredients: cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, cardamom, star anises, peppercorns, cloves, tea and milk. The brilliant taste of warm spices inside my cheeks are delightful!

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Easy, Holiday, Spices, Warm Drinks

Servings: 2 cups

Cost: $15

Equipment

Pot
Cutting Board
Knife
Strainer

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 cups milk
10 peppercorns crushed
10 cardamon pods cracked
1 inch ginger sliced
8 cloves whole
1 cinnamon stick 3-4 inches
3 star anises
2 tbs looseleaf tea or 1-2 tea bags
2 cups milk
5 tbs sugar or honey

Instructions

Add water to pot on stovetop to heat up to a boil
Crush peppercorns
Crack cardamom pods
Slice ginger
Add peppercorns, cardamom pods, and ginger to water
Add rest of whole ingredients: cloves, cinnamon and star anise to water
Add looseleaf tea to tea bag, add to pot to steep with other ingredients
Once water reaches a boiling point, turn stove to a low bowl and let spices steep for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Add milk to pot and continue low heat for another 10 minutes (or until milk is warmed). Stir occasionally.
Optional: add honey or sugar to desired sweetness
Strain tea latte with a strainer as you pour into cups

Notes

You could also add 1 tsp of fennel seeds.

Monitor milk so that it doesn’t boil over and make a big mess.

Once you have tried this recipe, make notes about the flavours that you want more or less of next time you make it.

Watch me make a homemade chai latte

Other Christmas recipes

While sipping a lovely chai tea latte, consider preparing for some Christmas Cookie Exchange.

I recently discovered my great Grandmother, Ouma Bab’s gingerbread cookie recipe. Soft and chewy its packed with winter flavours like cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest.