How to Make a Dirty Chai Latte

The base of a latte is either tea or espresso at the bottom, steamed milk, and a little bit of foam. Chai lattes are known to be made with tea, but have you ever tried it with coffee? Here is a recipe to make a dirty chai latte at home. We all know coffee shops are overrated and making recipes at home always tastes better. 

History of Chai

The word chai comes from the ancient word masala chai meaning “spiced tea”. It has been said that the history of the beverage started in an ancient royal court located in India thousands of years ago. 

The drink was first introduced as a remedy for mild ailments, drunk either hot or cold. At the time, tea leaves nor caffeine were included. In 1835, when the British set up tea farms in Assam, India black tea was added to the beverage along with sweetener and milk. 

Since black tea was the most expensive of the ingredients in the early 1900s of India, vendors continued to use milk, sugar, and chai spices to keep their cheaper teas flavorful. In the 1960s was when black tea became more affordable. Chai tea then became so popular in India that street and train vendors who sold tea were called chai wallahs, or tea persons. 

Today, chai is known more as a spice or flavor than just a type of tea. For example, chai tea latte actually means “spiced tea tea latte”. The drink of chai is consumed in multiple variations including indian masala chai, used with green tea instead of black, mixed with non-dairy milks, and enjoyed as an ice cream flavor. 

Benefits in Chai Spice

Both coffee and tea have their benefits when it comes to your health, but did you know so do certain spices do as well?

In a chai blend there is usually ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns. 

When ingested, cinnamon contains heart healthy benefits. With just a few grams each serving, cinnamon can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. When combined with ginger, studies have shown that the two spices can help lower blood sugar levels in type two diabetics. 

Ginger on it’s own can help reduce the feeling of nausea. The compounds in ginger are very similar to the way anti-nausea medications work. By adding cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom together, the three can assist each other in preventing possible digestive issues like heartburn or acid reflux. 

Peppercorn is a phenomenal spice that not only adds a bit of kick to any recipe, but provides a wide range of health benefits. Within peppercorn are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, help improve brain function, improve blood sugar control and cholesterol levels, and may help in fighting cancer-induced cells. 

 

Traditional Chai Tea Latte vs. Dirty Chai Latte

When making a traditional chai tea latte, milk is mixed with chai spices in a saucepan. As the milk mixture warms up, a tea bag rests in the sauce pan. After a minute or so, the tea is ready. 

Another way of making a chai tea latte is taking boiling water and soaking a chai tea bag in it for a few minutes. You can even make tea with a single serve coffee maker by popping in a tea k-cup and brewing it that way. After the tea is made, chai tea concentrate is added as well as frothed milk. Mix and you’ve instantly made a chai tea latte. 

The difference with a regular chai tea latte and a dirty chai latte is strongly brewed coffee. Instead of tea, coffee or espresso is added. The steps are the same when making a dirty chai latte, except the tea making process is switched with coffee. 

 

Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk (any variation)
• 1 tbsp of honey
• ¼ tsp of cinnamon
• ¼ tsp of vanilla extra
• A dash of cardamom
• A dash of ground cloves
• A dash of peppercorns or pepper
• 1 Jojo Java French Roast K-cup

Equipment

• Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
• Small saucepan
• 12 oz jar
• Your favorite mug

Instructions

1. In a small pan, combine the milk, honey, all the spices, and vanilla extract.
2. Heat in the pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally for one minute until everything is mixed well. 
3. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. After the mixture has cooled down a bit, take a 12 oz jar and pour in the mixture. 
5. Shake for 1 - 3 minutes until the milk froths a bit at the top. 

• If you have a milk frother, you can use it instead. 

1. While you shake the jar, pop one of JOJO JAVA’s French Roast K-cups into your Keurig. Brew at least 8 Oz into your favorite mug. 
2. Once your milk has frothed, take a spoon and block the froth as you pour a bit of the milk mixture into the coffee.
3. Scoop the froth from the jar and gently top it onto your chai latte. 
4. Sip and enjoy!