All About Chai TEA!

Chai tea (Masala Chai) literally translates as spiced tea, and traditionally is a black tea mixed with aromatic herbs and spices. The base tea is usually a strong black tea such as Assam, so that the spices and sweeteners do not overpower it.  Spices & herbs are usually cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, fennel seeds, peppercorn & cloves. Nutmeg is also used, and occasionally licorice root.

The simplest traditional method of preparing masala chai is to actively simmer or boil a mixture of milk and water with loose leaf tea, sweeteners, and whole spices.

Here at tEA Lite we have a huge range of chai tea available
 for both retail sale and for in-house tasting.

From Elmstock, we have Chai Masala, a traditional blend of Indian black tea, orange peel, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg & spices.

Our house blend is from Tease tea. Chai Rocks is a blend of black tea, cloves, cinnamon, cardamon pods, ginger & star anise.

We also sell chai blends from Real Chai, including their Original, Caffeine Free, and Chocolate chai!

And new to our chai range at tEA Lite, is Chai Yoga from TeaLeaves, which is a chai base complete with all the essential spices and herbs to build your chai, just add your favourite black or green tea or even  Rooibos from South Africa, for a caffeine free chai tea (We have Rooibos Vanilla here, what a great combination!). Chai Yoga is just a rich blend of warm spices only; cinnamon, cloves, cardamon and ginger.

So when you order a chai tea, two heaped teaspoons of Tease Chai Rocks will be placed in a plunger, steamed milk with minimal foam (heated to 70c) will be poured over the loose leaf mix and a dollop of yellow-box honey added and then stirred. After being left to infuse for a few minutes, the plunger in returned to the pot, and your chai is served in a latte glass! Of course, we can also serve your chai tea in a pot for you to enjoy, with or without milk.

At home, the girls from Real Chai sum it up best :

Authentic Stovetop Chai Tea (Makes 2 Cups) This is my favourite way to make chai. Simmering the spices allows their flavours to really come alive fully and will fill your kitchen endorphin releasing spicy aromas!  The savouring begins before you've even had your first sip & it's as easy as boiling water! Place 4tsp of Real Chai Tea in a small saucepan or milk warmer  Add 1.5 cups of water, bring to the boil & simmer for 5 minutes Add one cup of milk or soy, heat through for 2 minutes  (skip this step if you prefer black chai) Strain into your favourite cup. Add 1teaspoon of honey.