Chai Pumpkin Spice Tea Recipe [+Video] ☕ - Masala Herb (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Masala Chai and pumpkin spice? ›

In fact, most "pumpkin-spice" offerings are really pretty similar to chai in their flavor profile, but without the cardamom or vanilla. "It's a ratio of the same sweet and spices," said Hedy Kulka, senior chemist at International Flavors and Fragrances in New York and president of the Society of Flavor Chemists.

Pumpkin spice chai latte made with natural ingredients: pumpkin puree, almond milk, maple syrup and spices. This creamy yet skinny latte clocks in at only 90 calories (without the totally optional coconut cream).

Pumpkin Spice and Masala Chai (spiced tea from India, the base of iced chai latte) both get their flavors from a combination of warming spices. In fact, they use almost the exact same set of spices, to the point that a 2013 article stated that a “'Pumpkin spice' is mostly just a chai latte.”

'Masala' refers to a combination of spices in Indian cuisine; Masala Chai directly translates to 'spiced tea' and what most people consider 'Chai' to be is actually better known as Masala Chai. Once Masala Chai made its way across various oceans it dropped its first name and become lovingly referred to as just Chai.

Masala tea is much healthier than coffee because of its antioxidant properties, lower caffeine content, and other health benefits like boosting immunity. However, coffee can be healthy too, but only if taken in moderation.

The aroma of masala chai can have a calming effect on the mind and body. The spices in masala chai, particularly ginger and cardamom, have been shown to have anxiolytic properties that can help reduce stress and anxiety. By sipping on a cup of masala chai, you can soothe your nerves and promote a sense of well-being.

One cup of chai from the powdered form has 25 to 55mg of caffeine while in the concentrate, it's more likely to be 30 to 35mg. Compare that to roughly 120mg in your average cup of coffee and it's obvious that if you want to be a lively bag of beans, you'll probably want to stick to those, well, coffee beans.

The Bottom Line. Chai tea is a fragrant, spicy tea that may help boost heart health, reduce blood sugar levels, aid digestion and help with weight loss.

Authentic masala chai is often differentiated from its Western counterpart, the "chai latte." Chai lattes tend to have a sweeter, less complex flavor profile compared to traditional masala chai due to their use of sweeteners, chai syrup, or concentrates.

However, that sweet taste also comes from one or two teaspoons of sugar or honey added to each serving, usually along with a few tablespoons of milk. Chai latté as served at coffee bars contains steamed milk and added sugar.

What does dirty chai tea taste like? ›

On the other hand, a dirty chai comprises the same base ingredients found in a chai latte but takes the flavor up a notch with an added espresso shot. This inclusion of espresso imparts a strong, slightly bitter taste that coffee lovers are fond of, making dirty chai an interesting fusion of coffee and tea.

Tannins In Tea

Another reason that tea could be liable for making your mouth try is due to its tannin content. Tannins are naturally occurring compounds found in tea leaves. They are responsible for the bitter taste and astringency that can be found in tea.

The name “chai” is actually the Hindi word for “tea”, which was derived from “cha”, the Chinese word for “tea”. In this case, the Hindi term chai means a mix of spices steeped into a tea-like beverage. Recipes for chai vary across continents, cultures, towns and families.

A cup of chai has several health benefits - it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood pressure, helps manage blood sugar, boosts brain energy and improves cardiovascular health. These qualities are unique to chai because of the spices that go into every cup.

Tazo Chai Concentrate (Starbucks brand)

You can find their products in most grocery stores. This is the tea that Starbucks uses for its tea lattes and other beverages. Starbucks uses a special (and more concentrated) version of the Tazo Chai Concentrate that is not sold commercially.

Chai is a complex blend of flavors characterized by a balance of bold black tea leaves and different spices. Without a doubt, the most powerful notes in a cup of chai are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

Masala Chai is an Indian beverage made by brewing black tea with fragrant spices, sugar and milk. In Hindi the word “Masala” means “spices” and “Chai” means “Tea”. So Masala Chai also known as CHAI TEA by the non-natives, is Indian milk tea brewed with aromatic spices.

Common Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitution Questions

To get 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ginger, allspice, cloves or nutmeg, whatever you have! If you have two of the above spices, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of whichever two spices you do have.

The biggest difference between mixed slice and pumpkin pie spice is the addition of coriander plus the ratio of cinnamon is lower.