Organic Chai Tea Latte – Comfort In A Cup!

I don’t remember the pivotal place and time when I had my very first sip of Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks, made with Soy Silk vanilla, but when I did – it was love at first sip!   Really.  When I like something that much…I can be quite obsessive (and being obsessive cannot be in a “good way”).    There were some days that I was visiting Starbucks up to three times a day and for every cup it was $3.25 (it costs more for soy milk).    I wouldn’t even want lunch…just needed my Chai Tea Latte.

I worked in a very male dominated industry where my only solace during the day was escaping to Starbucks.  Doesn’t that just sound so sad?   But as soon as the barrista called my name to pick up my “tall, soy Chai” things would always start to look up again.   It’s that first sip from the cup.   The perfect hot beverage temperature.  The spiciness.   Hint of cinnamon.  Is that a hint of vanilla too?  It is comfort in a cup.   I literally felt all the ills and the wrongs in the world vanishing starting from the hairs on my head and making its way to my toes.   Comfort in a cup!

One day on my way out the door of a Starbucks with my delicious Chai Latte, I spot a shelf of products in their store.  Whoa and behold!   Cartons of Tazo® Organic Chai (even in decaffeinated!).  I can make these at home!    Yes.  You can!    You can make these at home with the Tazo® Chai concentrate.

I have since evolved and visit Starbucks less often.  I make these tasty treats in my own kitchen once in awhile (my obsession has since subsided) and even better, I use 1% milk or non-fat!   Also, black tea is an antioxidant that can have just as many health benefits as green teas.

This may seem like a silly post and maybe it’s common knowledge of how to make one of these tasty lattes.   However, last week when I was standing in line at the supermarket register, a woman approached me quite frantic and almost couldn’t contain herself when she saw my box of concentrate.   “Where did YOU find that!”   Her eyes were enlarged and she looked like she couldn’t believe her eyes.

So, without further adieu…Chai Tea Lattes….

• You can find the Tazo® brand concentrates at your local supermarkets (I purchase mine at Vons) Starbucks and just found it at Target (for a lot less than at Vons!).   Update 9/15/2011: Target carries all three varieties of the Tazo conentrates – Chai, Organic Chai and Decaffeinated Chai in the 32 oz. cartons.  Starbucks is no longer carrying the concentrates in their stores (which is odd since Tazo® is part of the Starbucks company).
• Use whatever milk product you’re used to having in your refrigerator (soy, low-fat, non-fat, lactose free, 1%, 2%….)
• Serve it hot or cold.

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Chai Tea Latte

source Cristina from TeenieCakes.com

Serving: 1 cup

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup Tazo® Organic Chai – Spiced Black Tea Latte Concentrate

Whipped cream (optional)

Cinnamon (optional)

Directions

In a glass measuring cup, pour both the milk and Tazo® Organic Chai concentrate.  Stir with a spoon and place in the microwave for 90 seconds.    Remove from the microwave and give it a light stir.   Return the glass measuring cup back to the microwave and heat about another 30-45 seconds (your preference of how hot you like your beverage).   You will need to determine the total time for yourself based on your preference and the power of your microwave.

Remove the cup from the microwave and transfer the contents to your favorite hot beverage cup.   Add whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Viola!   Comfort in a cup!