Chai latte is actually…A tea
If you came here, it is because you have already tried the chai latte, and you know how delicious it is. But if this is the first time you are reading about this drink and you are curious about it, then let us tell you that among its main characteristics stands out that, in addition to being exquisite, it tends to be milky, hot and with a peculiar spicy touch. Although it is part of the menus of millions of cafes, in all parts of the world, the truth is that, does not contain a single drop of coffee.
Although it owes its name to latte coffee, this preparation is one of the many oldest tea-based drinks. According to history, the chai latte, was born in India thousands of years ago. Where it is used for medicinal purposes. Since they considered that it had healing properties.
Its popularity was established in the last two centuries and today, it is one of the most consumed in the world. You're probably wondering, if it doesn't contain coffee, why is it sold in coffee shops? Or what really made it so famous far from its origins? There are many questions that we will help you answer shortly.
Birth of the chai latte
As we detailed above, the chai latte was born in India, a country where it has been cultivated for thousands of years, specifically in the region of Assam and Darjeeling. The word “chai” translated into Spanish means tea.
This drink whose beginnings were related to Hindu medicine known as Ayurveda It is a technique that included herbal spices, metals and minerals. Originally, it was prepared without tea leaves and was able to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and digestion.
Legend has it that Buddha would have promised his faithful followers to meditate for at least 9 years, without sleeping. However, he fell into a deep sleep upon his arrival at a place known as Canton. Once awake and not wanting to break that promise again, he decided to take some leaves from a tea tree and proceeded to chew them.
To his surprise, he began to feel a sense of revitalization and well-being, which quickly helped him combat the effects of sleep, allowing him to continue his meditation. In gratitude, he decided to save some leaves from this magical tree called Camellia Sinensis, since it had allowed him to fulfill his promise. After his arrival in Japan, he shared this gift of nature with his followers, telling them that thanks to these leaves they could easily concentrate and stay awake during their meditation hours.
As you will see, there are many versions about the history of this drink. In fact, there are those who claim that the chai latte, simply began appearing in Western coffee shops in 1990. However, there is no concrete data to support when it first appeared. This does not mean that it is one of the most sought-after drinks in the world, a popularity that has intensified in the last 10 or 15 years.
What is a chai latte really?
Now, the chai latte It is a preparation that consists of combining black tea with spices, since we make references to the masala chai. The latter consists of submerging black tea in water and then proceeding to mix it with sugar, ginger, and milk. In some cases, other spices such as cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns or cardamom may also be included.
Many agree that the masala chai, was first seen approximately 5,000 or 9,000 years ago. In the Indian subcontinent. Some versions indicate that it emerged in a royal court in Siam as a drink related to Ayurveda, which, as we explained a few paragraphs above, was a very common medicinal practice at that time.
For a long time, tea or chai consumption remained low in the UK, until funded promotional campaigns were launched. Thanks to these, they began to motivate Indian companies to provide their workers with what is known as “tea breaks.”
Due to the high cost of tea leaves, including low quality ones, they decided include milk, spices to dilute and thus give a special and different touch to the drink.
How much tea is consumed in India?
Currently, approximately more than 800,000 tons of tea annually. This is equivalent to about 30 cups of chai latte for each coffee. If we are more specific, a person consumes two cups of chai in a day.
In case you didn't know, the chai latte It is prepared in different ways throughout India. It is even very common that many choose to use buffalo milk. Since, for reasons of religious beliefs, cows are sacred.
Prepare a chai latte at home
If you got to this point. It is because you are dying of curiosity to prepare this delicious drink and surprise your loved ones. If so, then let's get to work.
Well, to recreate this drink the first thing we must do is mix the steamed milk with black tea. Which must already be previously infused with spices. Subsequently, our chai latte will have to be covered with a layer of milk foam.
It should be noted that the spices will always vary depending on the coffee establishments. There are even some coffee shops that decide to make their own blends of chai latte, to give it an original touch. While others choose to use sweetened chai syrup or a powder, this would be a plus point. Because, the drink would be ready in record time.
What's the trick to a perfect chai latte?
If you wanted the reference of an expert, well we got the one from the barista of ZwartWit Koffie, in the Netherlands, Sebastiaan van Venne, who claims that a true chai latte, basically consists of mixing some spices with black tea, sugar and water. He reveals that the recipe they currently use was designed by the previous barista, Kristian Louwers.
The specialist points out that when a customer orders a chai latte, they add something called an “elixir” to the drink; it is an extract of all the spices they usually use with black tea, water and sugar. Therefore, it is considered that secret ingredient and with which it gives a different touch to the drink.
You may be wondering: what is the preparation process like? The ZwartWit barista Koffie explained that the first thing they do is heat the elixir, they proceed to serve the milk that the customer prefers and then they texture it just as they do when they prepare a delicious latte. Once they pour the milk and foam, they put a little cinnamon powder on the surface and star anise, making it more attractive.
On the other hand, Sebastiaan van Venne points out that chai cannot be considered a true latte, because it does not contain a single drop of espresso, even though the proportions of hot milk and foam are the same.
In other coffee shops like Chai Coffee Co, in California, when preparing this drink, they let the fresh chai rest and add homemade vanilla syrup and the milk that the customer selects.
In short, it is a drink with a long history and the best of all is that we can find it in any coffee shop in the world, and this without having a single drop of coffee.
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