How to Make an Easy Homemade Chai Tea Latte for the Fall and Winter Seasons

Now that fall is approaching and the designated Pumpkin Spice season has started, I became curious on how to reduce my trips to Starbucks and how I could learn to make my own chai tea latte. In a conversation with a friend, I learned that he made chai tea at his house all the time. After a lot of inquiring and begging, I was able to get the recipe for it. It took some trial, error, and many flawed attempts for me to finally get the handle of it. As a lactose intolerant person, I was able to try out this recipe using oat milk, soy milk, and almond milk, which he was skeptical about, but it turned out better than expected. The taste will vary slightly depending on your choice of milk.

The main factor that always draws me in time and time again with making this recipe is the delicious aroma of chai masala mingling with black tea grounds wafting through the air, while I stir the boiling pot on my stove. The process is super relaxing and doesn't take as much time as you could expect from homemade chai.

Although I may not do it as much justice as my friend, I hope that this recipe helps for anyone having a craving for chai tea lattes and wanting a quick fix at home. In my friend's words, spread the chai!

Easy Homemade Chai Tea Latte

Part One: Ingredients + Materials

• Water (preferably 1/2 of your pot full)

• Ginger

• Lemongrass

• Chai Masala

• Black tea packets (preferably 2, add more if you want it stronger)

• Milk (can be any type you want- I use oat)

• Honey -OPTIONAL-

• Pot

• Grater

• Strainer

Part Two: Directions

- Hint: Make sure to add the chai masala when the water is boiling and to follow the steps accordingly. If you're using non-dairy milk (like I do), do not boil the water in the third step, just wait to boil in the sixth step (boiling it once is enough).

- Hint: Adjust the amount of ginger and lemongrass according to your tastes. Too much ginger can overpower the tea and personally I only add a small handful. A lot of this recipe is trial and error as I mentioned before, so don't worry if your first try doesn't end up perfect. Eventually you'll be able to use my recipe to create your own one that suits your unique tastes.

1. Heat up a pot of water on your stove. Make sure it is not boiling yet and the water fills to the halfway mark of the pot.

2. While the water is heating up, add the two black tea bags. (TIP: Leave the strings out of the water, so that way it's easier to take out later). Wash the ginger and lemongrass. Cut your lemongrass into smaller pieces if necessary for easier straining.

3. Mince the ginger into the pot of water and add the pieces of lemongrass. Bring to a boil.

4. While the water with ginger/lemongrass is boiling, add a teaspoon of chai masala.

5. Add as much milk as you want (it's up to your taste and preference). Usually, I add enough so the color becomes a lighter brown color, that way the tea is more diluted.

6. Bring this to a boil again, add your honey if you want sweetness, and then remove from the heat.

7. Enjoy your homemade chai tea latte and pat yourself on the back for your success! :)

Part Three: Pictures of the Process (and a last note from me)!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The first image depicts the minced ginger, the second shows the lemongrass, and the third shows the finished product of the boiled over chai tea latte. The image to the left here shows the brand of chai masala that I use. There are plenty of other options out there, but I've been using this brand pretty consistently. It is called LAXMI: Tea Masala and I purchased it off Amazon for around eight dollars. This pack has lasted me for a couple months and I use it at least once a week. I think it has the perfect amount of spice and "burn" of chai that makes chai tea lattes so special. Best of luck with your chai adventures and a special thanks to my friend once again for this amazing recipe that I'll use every fall and winter from now on!