How do I get over a "Chai Latte Addiction"?!
How do I get over a "Chai Latte Addiction"?
Okay, I know in comparison to more serious addictions, such as nicotine, alcohol, and hardcore drugs, etc., this "addiction" sounds lame and stupid, but the truth is, I think I'm addicted to the cafe drink "iced chai latte". I went through a whole week w/out it because I was broke, and now that I have my paycheck again, I keep getting it at least once a day at any cafe I can find (I am not partial to Starbucks, unlike a lot of people). It's bad because these drinks are expensive, and I always buy the largest b/c the small ones just don't cut it for me, and those are about almost 4 dollars. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but if you think about it, buying it everyday, and with the job I have, (I'm in school still, college) it is expensive. But I feel like if I don't have it I'll just be feeling mad and craving it. So what should I do? Any helpful tips for cutting down on this habit? Or any cheaper alternatives to chai latte?
Answers:
This is an easy one. Make it yourself.
The following information teaches you how to make Chai tea from scratch. Personally, I buy it in tea bag form from my local supermarket. As far as the steamed milk part, I don't own a machine that can steam milk, so for a hot tea latte I heat the milk on the stove and add it to the tea. Since you like iced Chai latte, you would have to pour the hot tea and milk into a glass or a pitcher filled with ice to ice your Chai!
What is Chai Tea?
Chai, pronounced with a long "i" as in the word tie, is the actual word for tea in many countries. Chai tea is quickly becoming extremely popular in the West as people are becoming exposed to it as lattes in coffee and tea houses.
Chai tea is a rich and complex beverage that has been savored for centuries in many parts of the world, especially India.
In its most basic form, chai is black tea that is brewed strong with a combination of spices and is diluted with milk and sugar.
The spices vary from recipe to recipe, but usually consist of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper and ginger. Chai tea is traditionally consumed hot and sweet. The sweetness is needed to bring out the full flavors of the spices.
How to Make Chai
Here is a simple recipe to make chai yourself at home. This is what you will need:
*
1 1/2 cups of water
*
1 1/2 inch stick of cinnamon
*
8 cardamom pods
* 8 whole cloves
* 1/4 inch fresh ginger root (sliced thin)
* 2/3 cup of milk
* 6 teaspoons sugar
* 3 teaspoons of Darjeeling Tea leaves
Place water, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger in a pot and bring to a boil.
Cover and lower heat to low setting and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add milk and sugar and again bring to simmer.
Next, add the tea leaves, remove from heat and cover.
Let steep for 3 minutes and strain. Enjoy!
Easy to Make Chai Tea
For those times when you don't want to make chai from scratch, here are some recommendations. First, Chai Tea Bags from cooking.com. This has the spices and the tea already prepared in tea bags. Just make the tea as usual and then add warm or steamed milk.
The next is an even easier method. This is a liquid chai concentrate and all you need to do is to add milk and heat. Here are some great tasting Tazo chai teas. Tazo is the brand of tea served in Starbucks and I think it's actually quite good.
For the ultimate in convenience, try the powdered chai. Just add hot water! Oregon is the brand I would recommend and can be purchased at the Coffee For Less website. Not only is this incredibly easy to make, but it tastes great!
Chai Latte
I just love a good chai latte! A chai latte is just the spiced tea mixed with milk that’s steamed from an espresso machine. I love the soft foamy texture the steamed milk adds to the chai.
You can get these at coffee houses, or if you can make them yourself if you have an espresso machine. I have detailed instructions on steaming (or frothing) milk in the coffee section of this site.
You can follow the above directions just don’t add the milk. This makes a strong tea. Then add the steamed milk straight from the espresso machine.
Practice to make velvety steamed milk and use fresh ingredients. This will insure that you make the perfect chai tea latte.
Source(s):
I am a Chai drinker too.
goodluck girl, i have the same damn problem with those monster energy drinks
wow thats really long! i stoped readin at okay i know!!!
just stop drinking it! duh!
your addiction will stop once you find out what's in that junk.
You need to find inexpensive alternative drink or eatable that you enjoy until you quit your addiction to cafe drink. For example try to eat a chocolate whenever you feel like drinking that nicotine drink. The only best way to distance yourself from any addiction is your determination and will power.
Girl if that is your worst problem then keep it . Spoil yourself once a day with it . You work so hard don't you deserve a little treat once a day ???