Dirty Chai
This post will teach you what a dirty chai is, and how to make a dirty chai tea latte. It also includes information on what chai is, what chai tea tastes like, and how to mix chai tea yourself. A dirty chai tea latte is an energetic treat for autumn, or any time of year.
What is a dirty chai
Simply put, a dirty chai is a serving of chai (tea) with espresso added. Conceptually, it is a tea latte (specifically chai) with the addition of espresso. Chai usually already has milk in it, so there’s no need to add steamed milk like you would with a typical latte. This can be a delicious way to take your espresso.
The term “chai” doesn’t denote a specific blend of spices, but it usually contains cardamom, cloves, and ginger. Coming from India, the word “chai” actually just means “tea.” It is redundant to say “chai tea,” sort of like saying “PIN number” or “ATM machine.” Nothing wrong with that, in my opinion.
What does chai taste like
Chai is usually earthy, sweet, and spicy, and can be slightly tangy depending on how you make it. The taste of it comes from the black tea, the sugar, the milk, and the spices added into the milk. The spices usually include ginger, cloves, and cardamom, but there are different ways to make it.
This style of tea is just the most popular way people like to drink it in India, and there are many ways to prepare it. The way we use the term in English, “chai” refers to a type of milky sweet black tea with certain spices added. My recipe below contains cardamom, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, sugar and honey, and your choice of milk.
How to make a dirty chai tea latte
The spices for this recipe will be cardamom, clove, ginger, and cinnamon. It uses honey and cane sugar as sweeteners, and any kind of milk you’d like. Feel free to have fun and make it to your own liking.
To make the chai:
Ingredients:
- Black tea (1 tsp)
- Cardamom (2 pods)
- Cloves (2)
- Fresh ginger (1/4 inch)
- Cinnamon bark (1 inch)
- Sugar (1 tsp, or to taste)
- Honey (1 tsp, or to taste)
- Water (5 oz)
- Milk of any kind, but I think coconut is terrific (5 oz)
Equipment
- Kettle
- Pot or saucepan
- Mug
- Strainer, sieve, cheesecloth, or similar
- Mortar and pestle, herb grinder, or similar
- Grater for the ginger
- Something to stir with
- Measuring devices for teaspoons, fluid ounces, and inches (or eyeball it)
- Moka pot, unless you have an espresso machine. You can also just use regular coffee to make it “dirty,” but it will not be the same.
Directions:
Prepare the tea:
- Set water to boil.
- Place black tea in a tea strainer, tea bag, sieve, or similar device, and place that in a mug.
- When the water boils, pour it over the tea and allow to steep 3-5 minutes. It’s generally okay for black tea to steep longer if desired/if you forget to time it.
Prepare the spiced milk:
- Crush spices in a mortar and pestle or herb grinder. Grate the ginger.
- Place the spices, including the ginger, along with the milk in a saucepan and bring to a simmer on medium heat.
- Bring the range to low heat, and allow the mixture to simmer for 3 minutes, stirring to prevent a boil.
- At the end of the simmer, stir in the honey and sugar.
Combine:
- Pour the prepared tea into the saucepan with the spiced milk.
- Stir together with heat on low for about a minute.
- Turn off the heat and strain into a mug(s).
If you just want chai tea, you can stop right here. If you want a dirty chai tea latte, keep reading.
To prepare the espresso for a dirty chai latte:
Most people don’t have an espresso machine in their home. If you do have an espresso machine, then you already know what to do! The following directions use a 1 cup moka pot as a substitute. If you don’t have a moka pot, no problem! You can add coffee from a french press or pour over–it won’t be the same, but you will get a nice coffee flavor and an extra kick.
- Fill the filter inside the moka pot with fine ground coffee.
- Fill the lower basin of the moka pot with fresh water.
- Reassemble the moka pot.
- Set the moka pot on the stove set to the highest setting it can take without the flames surrounding it and melting the handle.
- The moka pot will seethe as the upper basin fills with fresh strong coffee.
- When this process is finished, turn off the stove and pour your coffee into your spiced milk.
Enjoy!
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