Spiced Rooibos Chai Delight
Experience the warm embrace of South Africa with this Spiced Rooibos Chai Delight. Using rooibos leaves—known for their rich, earthy flavor and absence of tannins—this chai offers a caffeine-free alternative to traditional tea blends. Combined with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, this recipe produces a rich and soothing beverage that's perfect for any time of day. Whether you enjoy it steaming from a cup or chilled over ice, it's a comforting treat that will awaken your senses.
4
Servings
88
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
4 cups (none)
whole milk
2/3 cup (none)
cinnamon sticks
2 (none)
cardamom pods
2 teaspoons (lightly crushed)
whole cloves
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh ginger
2 slices (quarter-size, lightly smashed)
whole black peppercorn
1/4 teaspoon (none)
sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
loose rooibos tea leaves
2 tablespoons (or substitute with 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, combine the water, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, whole cloves, fresh ginger, black peppercorns, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over moderate heat.
2
Once boiling, reduce the heat to moderately low and allow the mixture to simmer gently. Stir occasionally for about 20 minutes until the liquid takes on a pale rust color.
3
Add the rooibos tea leaves (or black tea leaves if substituting) and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
4
Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the chai through a fine sieve into a teapot or serving pitcher to remove the spices and tea leaves.
5
Pour the chai into cups and add the whole milk, adjusting to your desired creaminess. Stir well and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
2.5
Fat
19
Carbs
2.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Rooibos Chai Delight?
It is a caffeine-free South African-inspired beverage that combines earthy rooibos tea leaves with aromatic spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.
Is Spiced Rooibos Chai Delight caffeine-free?
Yes, as long as you use rooibos tea leaves, this recipe is naturally caffeine-free.
Can I substitute the rooibos tea with another type of tea?
Yes, you can substitute the rooibos tea leaves with 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves if you prefer a traditional caffeinated chai.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe produces 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this chai?
There are approximately 88 calories per serving.
What are the main spices used in this chai recipe?
The recipe uses cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, whole cloves, fresh ginger, and whole black peppercorns.
How much water is needed for this recipe?
You will need 4 cups of water.
What type of milk is recommended for this tea?
The recipe suggests using 2/3 cup of whole milk to achieve a creamy texture.
How do I prepare the ginger for this recipe?
You should use 2 quarter-sized slices of fresh ginger and lightly smash them.
How should I prepare the cardamom pods?
The 2 teaspoons of cardamom pods should be lightly crushed before boiling.
How long should the spice mixture simmer?
The mixture should simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid takes on a pale rust color.
How long do I brew the tea leaves?
Once the spices have simmered, add the tea leaves and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Do I need to strain the tea before serving?
Yes, strain the chai through a fine sieve into a teapot or pitcher to remove the spices and tea leaves.
Can this chai be served cold?
Yes, it can be enjoyed steaming hot or chilled over ice.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 2.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 19 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of this drink?
Each serving provides 2.5 grams of protein.
How much sugar is added to the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sugar.
What makes rooibos tea unique?
Rooibos is known for its rich, earthy flavor and for being naturally free of tannins and caffeine.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 9 ingredients required for this recipe.
Can I adjust the amount of milk?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of milk added to each cup to suit your desired level of creaminess.
What color should the liquid be after simmering the spices?
The liquid should take on a pale rust color after the initial 20-minute simmer.
How many cinnamon sticks are used?
The recipe uses 2 cinnamon sticks.
What quantity of cardamom is needed?
You will need 2 teaspoons of cardamom pods.
How many whole cloves are included?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of whole cloves.
How much black peppercorn is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns.
Is this tea considered a South African recipe?
Yes, it is specifically described as capturing the warm embrace of South Africa due to the use of rooibos.
What heat setting should I use for the initial boil?
You should bring the mixture to a rolling boil over moderate heat.
What heat setting is used for simmering?
After the initial boil, reduce the heat to moderately low for the simmering stage.
Is there any dietary fiber in this beverage?
No, the recipe does not contain a significant amount of dietary fiber.