I’m so far from a tea drinker that I thought that Chai was a type of tea leaf, like green, black, and oolong. Boy, was I wonderfully, amazingly wrong! I wish someone had said to me a long time ago, “Jules, this is the most creamy, delicious tea treat you’ll ever have. Oh, and by the way? It’s packed with some of your favorite spices.” Had they, I wouldn’t have been missing out. Where have I been and how did I not know? So much for claiming I’m a foodie, I guess. I’m a no-goodie foodie 
Tea, steeped in milk, and a heavenly combination of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. A hint of brown sugar. Warm, sweet, and dizzyingly aromatic, it had me captivated, clutching the mug and closing my eyes. I was so enamored I think I even posted something delirious on Facebook about it. My boys loved it as much as I did. Cinnamon is this family’s kryptonite, for sure.
So treat yourself to this winter warmer, filled with all those spices we associate with the holidays. Decaf or high-test. Cold or hot. Whatever you like. Then you’ll start doing the Chai Chai, like I did.
Lowfat Chai Tea
Makes 4 big mugs of tea
2 1/2 cups water
3 cups lowfat (1%) milk
8 tea bags (I used Lipton decaffeinated)
1/4 cup brown sugar (loose, not packed into measuring cup)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom ( entirely optional; great without as well)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
In a medium saucepan, bring the water, milk, sugar, and spices to a boil. Be careful not to let it boil over. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and cover. Let steep for 5 minutes. Remove each tea bag, squeezing out the liquid before discarding. If desired, pour the tea through a mesh strainer to remove the spice solids. Serve hot or cold.
Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days (At least, in theory – in my house, it’ll be long gone before then).
Registered dietitian. Foodie. Mother of three. Wife. Coach and teammate. Scrapbooker. How to balance it all? I'm learning how to juggle. Check out my blog for family-approved healthy recipes, the occasional treat, and a little nutrition on the side. And maybe a laugh or two :)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Bob thanks you for supporting Lipton (22 years schlepping tea for the Big Blue U (Unilever)!) You should send this recipe in to http://www.lipton.com, or “to learn more about tea’s role in healthylifestyle call 1-888-LIPTONT.” Who knows where this could go…maybe JWJ will be a featured recipe suggestion on boxes of the flavonoid wonder!!!
Ooh great idea! Thank you! Tell Bob it is my pleasure to support his lifetime of schlepping tea
Can I pay you to make me a batch!!! Ill pay in
Bacon???
LOL Maryann! I am sure we can work something out. But seriously this is so easy, I know you can do it!