Tea

My Homemade Chai Latte

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A good bloggy friend Chrystina came to visit me recently and one of the things she asked is where the good Chai place was. It was not a question that I was used to, since around these parts we don’t have a large number of café’s or tea houses within walking distance. I pretty much make everything from scratch. I probably should have explained that better while she was here, but instead, I’ll do a post about it. Side note I did wait until after labor day to post this recipe because August is not the ideal hot chai latte weather. I think that’s a long enough wait yes?

My chai latte recipe is one I perfected way back in college because it was a necessity. You need that creamy, caffeinated goodness to get through late night study sessions you see.

Side note: not every chai latte has caffeine in it. Many swanky cafés use a from concentrate chai mix that is mostly sugar and spices with no actual tea (caffeine) in it. Some tea houses have actual chai tea, where all the spices are mixed up in a bag and steeped. This is not a recipe like either of those.

Personally these days I’m more of a fan of the chai tea, the steep-able version. I like the stronger flavor and have been trying to avoid added milks and sugars. I think my taste buds have changed quite a bit because I generally prefer no sugar at all. The things we do for health man.

This recipe is not about health. This recipe is about flavor, comfort, and caffeine, because what else are we really looking for from our chai latte?

My Homemade Chai Latte

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 15 mins

Serves: 2 servings

Ingredients

1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
¾ teaspoons ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
2 black tea bags
1 cup water
2 cups vanilla almond milk
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine the water, teabags, and spices and bring it to a boil.
Once a rolling boil is reached, cover and remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and stir in the milk and honey.
Pour into mugs and serve.

My Current Favorite Teas

By Jessica

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For someone who drinks tea throughout the day, nearly every day I don’t seem to talk about it a whole lot on here. I want this space to be a reflection of everything that I am in the moment that I am writing it.

I thought it would be good to start with a collection of my current favorite teas.

Monks blend – it has a way of soothing my nerves that’s absolutely amazing. Its flavor is a Ceylon black tea that is blended with a light grenadine that truly lifts the caramel-vanilla flavor to a new level. It is one of my favorite to sip on as I sit down at my computer to work on the weekends.

Irish Breakfast – I think this is/has always been my favorite. Barry’s is the best, but I may be bias, since it’s my Grams favorite also.

Bengal spice – I have allergies, and this year I am making it through without medication. Halleluiah! This tea is a non caffeinated herbal blend with a super strong flavor. I make it very dark, and blend in a touch of honey to sooth my throat. The strong spices help to clear out my sinuses before bed and I wake up feeling so much better than without it. I also will drink some during the day if I am having a particularly bad bout.

Classic Green tea – I drink this made very weak sometimes at work when I want more than just water. The hint of flavor gives me just what I am looking for.

Peppermint tea – I make this when my stomach is feeling off or I have a headache. Just the smell can do wonders on a headache. It’s an herbal tea that has been used for centuries for it’s healing properties.

A Love Letter to Tea

By Jessica

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Growing up my grandmothers (yes both of them) always had tea
water ready to go. It was the thing you were offered the second you walked
through the door, finished a meal, or woke up. It was the thing you drank for
headaches and heart aches alike. It was the thing that fixed everything.

In my own home I’m still an avid tea drinker. I enjoy strong
black Scottish and Irish tea’s as well as light herbal mixes, depending on my
mood. I’ve had a great many debates with people on the best ways to serve and
prepare tea, but in all honesty it’s entirely up to the person enjoying their
own cup.

Tea has a place in my heart that very few things have. I
remember all the serious conversations with family, while cups turned cold in
our hands, as well as settling down to fettering out my own life thoughts with
a freshly brewed pot.

It has quelled my deepest coughs, relieved stuffy noses,
soothed my strongest headaches, and even helped put me to sleep in the long
years when it evaded me the most. It’s always been there when I needed it and I
know that it will continue to be, just like it has for thousands of years.

It’s interesting to think about those ancient days when man
was first began steeping tea leaves, flowers and pine needles in fire heated
water. Did they marvel at the strength it gave them, or the ailments it
soothed? Or did they simply enjoy the warmth it provided?

Tea is an ancient comfort that has spread it’s love across
millions of lives, and continues to fight for honest and true health. Perhaps
we should all remember what it has done for us in our time and give a moment of
thanks for its ancient power.

Sincerely,

Jessica

5 Awesome Iced Tea Recipes

By Jessica

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So for the second month in a row I don’t have anything new
to tell you about on the book end of things. Do you remember last year when I
had read over 15 books by this point? I think I have made it through less than 5 so far
this year. I’m just in a totally different place, and there are not enough
hours in the day.

I can’t give you another Spring Reading List that would be way too boring.

I was going to give you guys an awesome cocktail instead, but I may or may not have drank it all before remembering to take pictures. So it will have to wait too.

We can talk about how June is National Iced Tea month. I love how everything has its own day and month, especially foods. I’m gonna celebrate by bringing you a collection of great iced tea recipes.