How to Choose the Right Milk for Chai Latte | Camellia Sinensis (2024)

November 20, 2018

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How to Choose the Right Milk for Chai Latte | Camellia Sinensis (1)

Though not new to the world of tea, Chai, the traditional Indian beverage, has become increasingly popular in North America. We've noticed a growing demand for various plant milk alternatives to traditional cow’s milk. Here are our thoughts on the pros and cons of using these various milk alternatives.

Prepare a chai latte with cow milk

Classic chai is prepared with high-fat milk, and sometimes with condensed milk or even butter. Cow's milk gives chai it a smooth, rich and authentic taste. It tends to work well with any blend of spices.

Prepare a chai latte with soy milk

Soy milk is a more neutral and versatile alternative to cow's milk. It has a similar creaminess and richness and it's also a good match for any chai blend, from the more traditional to the woody or spicier.

Prepare a chai latte with almond milk

Less creamy, almond milk is best used for the more punchy chai blends, like our Winston mix. Its subtle taste pairs well with spices to create a very well-balanced result.

Prepare a chai latte with coconut milk

Although it is harder to pair, coconut milk can be a nice alternative for a fruity chai like our Scarlett or Eva blends, it comes into its own when prepared cold. But coconut milk isn’t a taste that suits everyone, so proceed with caution.

Prepare a chai latte with oat milk

Oat milk may be taking over as our new favourite vegan alternative, even dethroning soy milk! It has a velvety texture and it offers similar results with the spices to that of cow's milk.

Discover all our chai blends!

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How to Choose the Right Milk for Chai Latte | Camellia Sinensis (2024)

FAQs

How to Choose the Right Milk for Chai Latte | Camellia Sinensis? ›

Prepare a chai latte with cow milk. Classic chai is prepared with high-fat milk, and sometimes with condensed milk or even butter. Cow's milk gives chai it a smooth, rich and authentic taste. It tends to work well with any blend of spices.

What kind of milk is best for chai tea latte? ›

Milk: Whole milk is perfect for a chai latte, though you can keep it dairy-free with plant-based milks like oat or soy too. You'll want one suitable for steaming and foaming. Spices: This really depends on personal preference.

What kind of milk should I use for tea? ›

A stronger tea will always balance out the milk better than a weaker tea. Furthermore, creamer milks will go better with teas. Thus, whole dairy milk is your best bet. If you're dairy free then you should opt for either almond or cashew milk which replicates the creaminess of whole dairy milk.

Is chai better with or without milk? ›

Chai is traditionally brewed with milk in India but that's the great thing about Real Chai, you can brew it the way YOU like it. It contains only spices and tea, so if you prefer not to use milk simply leave it out for a delicious black tea version. I personally love to use Soy Milk in my chai over dairy milk.

How to make chai latte like a barista? ›

  1. Step 1: Roast Spices. Skip this step if you are using ground spices. ...
  2. Step 2: Brew Tea. Pour water into a medium pan and add fresh ginger and toasted spices. ...
  3. Step 3: Steep, Sweeten, and Strain. Remove the hot water from the stovetop and add in the tea leaves or tea bags. ...
  4. Step 4: Froth Milk. ...
  5. Step 5: Pour and Enjoy!

What type of milk is best for latte? ›

When it comes to lattes and cappuccinos we always recommend whole milk before anything else. It has just the right balance of fats, proteins, sugar, and water to make smooth microfoam without being overwhelmingly creamy.

What milk does Starbucks use in chai lattes? ›

A standard chai latte drink at Starbucks is made with 2% milk. However, you can easily request almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk, which are all dairy free.

What is the best thick milk for tea? ›

The best type of milk for most teas is still the regular cow's milk. Many tea recipes call for a full fat milk. Full fat milk is a must for making a traditional Indian chai. But there are other dairy alternatives to cow s milk such as goat's milk, buffalo's milk or yak's milk.

Which milk alternative is best in tea? ›

Dairy-Free Options
  • Rice Milk. Works best with: Tea. Hot Chocolate.
  • Soya Milk. Works best with: Tea (Unsweetened) Coffee (Sweetened)
  • Almond Milk. Works best with: Tea (Sweetened) Hot Chocolate (Unsweetened)
  • Coconut Milk. Works best with: Hot Chocolate. Coffee.

Can I drink chai tea latte everyday? ›

Can you drink chai tea every day? Black tea varieties, like chai tea, are considered safe for drinking daily. But black tea has a range of caffeine, from 30 to 50 milligrams, so it's best to limit daily tea drinking.

When to add milk to chai? ›

Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about ten minutes, until the water is reduced by half. If less than 1/2 cup of water remains after ten minutes, just top up with more water. Remove tea bag and stir in milk and honey or sugar. Allow the chai to just return to a boil, then pour into a mug and serve.

How do you know when chai is ready? ›

Add milk (and water if doing a mix) and bring to a gentle simmer on a low heat. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. You'll know your chai is ready when it turns a lovely biscuity colour. Remove from the heat and strain into your cup.

What do coffee shops use for chai lattes? ›

To make a chai coffee, most coffee shops use espresso shots, chai concentrate, sweetener, and milk. A Copper Cow Chai Coffee has whole herbs and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger ground right into the coffee.

What to add to a chai latte? ›

Ingredients US Customary Metric 1x 2x 3x
  1. 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
  2. 2 black tea bags (optional; I like to use Darjeeling)
  3. 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon , or to taste.
  4. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
  5. 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.
  6. 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
Feb 23, 2018

Why does chai latte taste so good? ›

The quintessential chai latte is a blend of bold black tea, a symphony of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, and the creamy richness of milk. This combination creates a complex flavor profile that is both invigorating and comforting.

Does almond milk curdle in chai tea? ›

Almond milk is a plant-based milk alternative that is made by blending almonds with water and then straining the mixture to remove any solids. However, because almonds are high in protein, they can sometimes react with acidic ingredients like coffee or tea, causing the almond milk to separate and form curdles.

Does coconut milk taste good in a chai latte? ›

Coconut and chai is a delicious combination. The coconut cuts the spicy chai flavor and adds a smooth creaminess to the drink. The chai spices make the coconut taste sophisticated and rich, without the tropical flavor coconut is sometimes known to have. The foam is one of my favorite parts of a latte.

Do you need a milk frother for chai latte? ›

Tools to make chai tea latte

So before you dive in, you'll need a good hand-held milk frother or emulsifier. Get a sturdy one that will last.

Is iced chai with oat milk good? ›

I use equal parts of oat milk and the classic chai, and I also add lavender and vanilla. Top it off with some cold foam. and this is literally the best drink ever. It's so easy to make, and I've partnered with Caza to give you some inspo.

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