Chai Tea Latte - Easy

At least once a day, and sometimes twice, I make myself a cuppa tea.  Besides all those dubious health benefits, it all comes down to ... I simply like the stuff.

Neither theHubby or I are coffee drinkers. 

Disclaimer #1: that solo cup o'brown gunk I throw back at work every morning is a relatively recent development and the only coffee I imbibe.  None gets consumed anywhere else.

For many years, theHubby and I used to hit a large coffee chain once a week to have ... hot chocolate.  We either visited the shop way too often, or we were so unusual that the barista would tell us what we ordered before we ordered it.  Then one day I noticed chai tea on the menu.

Chai???  That Hebrew word for life (pronounced, if you don't speak Hebrew, as if the "c" weren't there)?  No, a South Asian generic word for tea (pronounced, if you don't speak South Asian, as if the "ch" were there, like in charm).  Someone ordering chai (or chai tea latte as it is called at CoffeeBucks) in these here parts wants and expects to get what should be more correctly called masala chai, a spice-infused milk tea.

There are several tea brands I like so I buy whichever is on sale.  My favorite this week is Stash, but Tazo is great as well.   My least favorite, though is Bigalow chai with vanilla.  Somehow the vanilla overpowers the other spices.  

Disclaimer #2:  The opinions expressed in this posts are solely those by the blog owner.  Until someone someday wants to pay said blog owner.

I've attempted to make chai (tea latte) from scratch.  But when comparing the cost savings versus the time, trouble and gallons of water cleaning out spent tea leaves and spices from the tea filter, there is no contest.  Until tea filter bags become as cheap as coffee filters, I'll continue to spring for the tea bags, thank you.

Today's post is brought to you by Cujo, the reluctant model.

Chai Tea Latte

makes 1 serving

1 cup or mug, any size

1 to 1/2 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. black pepper (if using Stash tea, optional)

low-fat milk (or soy or other non-dairy milk substitute for a vegan/parve drink)

cold fresh water

1 chai tea bag

Add 1 teaspoon of honey to a microwave-safe cup (1 1/2 teaspoons if you have a large cup/mug/sweet tooth).  Sprinkle in black pepper, if using.

Pour in milk to fill about a third of the cup.   Yup, about that much.

Add cold water up to a 1/2 inch from the top (have someone help if you can't reach the dispenser).  Do not bother to stir yet because cold honey will fight you all the way.

Looks about right.  Have someone with opposible thumbs place mug in microwave.  Nuke at full power for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes or until liquid starts to simmer.

Have human remove cup from microwave and gently stir with a spoon until honey dissolves, which should take a few seconds.  Dunk tea bag in and brew for 2-3 minutes.  Remove bag.  Spoon out any undissolved black pepper, if used.

Serve hot.  And have a nice April Fool's Day.