Tori Avey’s Turmeric Chai Latte: A Healthy Non-Dairy Delight

Turmeric Chai Latte Recipe – Homemade Chai Extract with Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric. Dairy or Non-Dairy. Make a Sweet, Exotic and Healing Beverage at Home.

This recipe was inspired by a turmeric chai latte I had at one of my favorite lunch spots. The concept is something I’ve been meaning to experiment with for some time, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it. I love the chai spice mixture in my Coconut Chai Rice Pudding, but I wasn’t sure how to smoothly incorporate those spices into a latte. The answer was to create a tea concentrate that could be refrigerated and used anytime you have a latte craving. The flavor is sweet, exotic and just a little spicy. You can make it with your favorite milk or non-dairy milk substitute. I’m a big fan of coconut milk here, which gives the latte a rich flavor and foamy texture.

Chai is already exotic on it’s own, but the addition of turmeric and black pepper really kicks it up a notch. Lately I’ve been adding turmeric to everything, so it doesn’t seem so crazy that I’m finding a way to drink it as well. The slightly yellow color of this latte comes from the curcumin found in turmeric. Curcumin has significant anti-inflammatory properties that rival those found in ibuprofen. Unlike over-the-counter drugs, curcumin has no toxic effects. In addition, curcumin’s powerful antioxidant advantages have been shown to protect healthy cells, particularly those found in the colon, from cancer-causing agents. It can aid the body in destroying mutated cancer cells before they have a chance to spread to other areas. Pretty amazing, right? As if that weren’t enough, turmeric also helps to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. A reader tipped me off to the fact that adding black pepper to turmeric increases the health benefits, so I’ve added a pinch here and I believe it adds depth to the drink.

I’ve been enjoying this latte for a few months now, and figured it was high time I share it with you all. Not only is it fun to drink (who doesn’t love a good chai??), it’s nice knowing that I’m also doing something good for my body. I like this version even better than the one I used to get at the cafe down the road; coincidentally, they stopped making it several months ago. Thank goodness I now have this recipe in my kitchen arsenal! Just make sure you shake up that concentrate before you make the drink to get the full chai flavor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Recommended Products:

Small Saucepan

Mesh Strainer

Immersion Blender

 Beauty shots and styling by Bethany Nauert.

Turmeric Chai Latte

Homemade Chai Extract with Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric. Dairy or Non-Dairy. Make a Sweet, Exotic and Healing Beverage at Home.

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COURSE: Drinks

Kosher Key: Parve or Dairy, depending on preparation

Servings: 8 servings

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Tea Concentrate Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups water
• 6 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 4 black tea bags
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
• Pinch black pepper

Latte Ingredients - Makes 1 Single Latte

• 3/4 cup coconut milk or the milk of your choice-- coconut and regular milk froth the best
• 3/4 teaspoon coconut sugar more or less to taste
• 1/4 cup tea concentrate
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric

NOTES

You will also need: Small saucepan, fine mesh strainer, immersion blender (optional)

Instructions

• To make the tea concentrate, combine all ingredients except for tea bags and vanilla in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. 
  
• Remove from heat and add the tea bags and vanilla. Let the mixture steep for at least 10 minutes.
  
  
• Pour through a fine mesh strainer. Put the concentrate into a sealable container and refrigerate until ready to use. This will keep for up to 7 days. Shake well before using.
  
  
• To make 1 latte, whisk together the coconut milk, coconut sugar and turmeric in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat just until the mixture bubbles around the edges of the pan. Remove from heat.
  
  
• Combine the warm milk mixture with 1/4 cup of the tea concentrate in a glass. Stir to combine. Garnish with ground cinnamon if desired. You can adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less sugar to taste; I prefer this only mildly sweet.
  
  
• Note: If you prefer a frothy latte, use a milk frother or transfer the milk mixture to a deep container and pulse with an immersion blender until frothy. Then combine with 1/4 cup of tea concentrate and serve.
  
  

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Turmeric Chai Latte

Amount Per Serving

Calories 36

% Daily Value*

Sodium 22mg1%

Potassium 10mg0%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Sugar 6g7%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 9mg1%

Iron 0.3mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!

Note: Nutrition facts above relate only to tea concentrate. Latte calories will vary based on your milk of choice and the amount of additional sweetener added.

Other Great Recipe Ideas

Food52 – Turmeric Lassi

The Kitchn – Sunshine Smoothie with Coconut, Clementine and Turmeric

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