Turmeric Chai Mix Recipe. All Variations
Turmeric Chai Mix
Turmeric Chai Mix Aliases
Every culture riffs on the basic Indian spice mix, and renames it: in India it is called golden chai masala; in Israel they use it mostly as the Yemenite sweet coffee spice mix, or Hawayedj (as distinct from the pungent curry-like cooking Hawayedj). Although the name literally means tea spice mix, it is equally at home in quite a few drinks, hot or cold, with or without milk: Pumpkin chai latte, matcha latte, turmeric latte, Turkish coffee, even hot cider! Even hot chocolate: Hello! You can even spice your chocolate truffles with the chai mix. And if you spice your apple cake with it, you’ll knock it out of the ball park!
Make Your Own Spice Mix!
Nothing to it! In my opinion, no commercial mix comes close to your homemade spice mix. Make a nice big batch in minutes: it will last you months. You’ll be moments away from your favorite comfort drink in all seasons.
Turmeric
Turmeric is magic. Nutrition, color and texture for pennies. It doesn’t encroach on the flavor of anything you are making, even while it makes it much more valuable as a functional food. Don’t skip it! Just take the precaution of lining your counter with a napkin or a sheet of parchment to avoid staining.
Golden Chai Latte
Not for nothing is it called Golden Chai. Golden in flavor, Golden in nutritional value. Scroll down for recipe.
Homemade Latte Drinks are Healthier
There’s another priceless advantage of making your own homemade latte drinks: you have much better control of what you put in. Store bought latte drinks severely err on the caloric and sugary side. Besides, they are most often made with very unexciting and uninspiring mixes: certainly not worth the caloric expense. Read the caloric contents of some latte drinks next time you are in a commercial coffee house: you would faint to find out the amount of sugar they contain!
Also, you get to choose your milk. Oat milk is my favorite. It is not just super nutritious, it is also par even, and I get to treat myself to a cup anytime of day.
Chai purists make their own mix from scratch: they grind their own spices, cook them and strain them. But you know what, my mix is fantastic, Super fast and super easy: you will be encouraged to make it chai drinks more often, at the drop of a hat.
My Own Spice Mix
Naughtier, spicier and more complex than pumpkin spice. Play with the amounts I am suggesting, and once you arrive at your favorite combo, take good note of it for future batches.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons turmeric
- 3 tablespoons cardamom
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground anise or ground star anise
- 2 teaspoons white pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in bowl, then transfer to a perfectly clean and dry glass jar. Store with your spices. Makes about 1 cup mix.
For 1 cup chai: Start with about 1 teaspoon of the mixture per cup of hot tea (or coffee, or hot chocolate, or hot cider) and increase it to your own taste.
For several servings: bring everything to boil in a teapot, and strain. Here’s a great brand tea strainer that will leave your drink pristinely clear and limpid.
Add your favorite milk (I love to use almond milk or coconut milk) and your favorite sweetener to taste (on days I would rather skip sugar, I use erythritol)
Going all out? Top with whipped cream for an occasional splurge.
For Golden Chai Latte
As delicious and as nutritious as a mini meal. The best functional foods have to offer with drinks.
For a pint of Golden Chai Latte: Take good full fat milk, dairy or plant. I love to use oat milk here. Bring 1 cup of milk and 1 cup water to boil with 2 teaspoons Chai Spice Mix, more if you like it spicier. If you used skim or low fat milk, use two cups of it, and no water.
Sweeten to taste: I use erythritol on days when I need to save on calories, but when I can afford it I love honey or maple syrup.
Rose Chai Latte: add a few drops rose water.
Yields 1 large serving, or two smaller servings.
For Pumpkin Chai Latte
Add 3-4 tablespoons canned or frozen pumpkin purée and blend with the other ingredients.
For Iced Drinks
Blend with a few ice cubes.
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