As a tea consultant, my everyday life is fully steeped in tea. However, each day is brimming with new tea tasks that send me into the kitchen and then typing away at my desk. One of my most memorable tea challenges was developing fifty iced tea recipes for my client, Takeya. Throughout the past three years, I have consulted with Takeya to assist in the development of their collection of six teas and fruit blends specialty created to be brewed and chilled in their fabulous iced tea maker (fresh brewed iced tea in minutes? yes, please). Tasked with the opportunity to transform the iced teas into iced tea infusions bursting with fresh fruits, herbs and spices, I spent months testing recipes that would find their way into the soon-to-be-launched Takeya iced tea recipe book.
Since I am overjoyed about the upcoming launch, I couldn't help but share a sneak peek at a favorite recipe featured in the book, the iced spiced chai tea latte. The hearty assam black tea in the Classic Black blend brews to a mildly brisk yet smooth flavor when steeped in the milk (milk slightly mutes heartier black tea flavors leaving room for other notes to come through). Anchoring the iced tea latte, the black tea effortlessly blends with rich honey, slightly sweet cinnamon, spicy ginger and fragrantly aromatic cardamom and cloves. And if you're craving this sip as an afternoon snack or morning meal, pair it with buttery breakfast treat like a croissant, french toast, banana bread or any other baked good warming in your oven. This fresh take on the Indian Masala Chai tea beverage will make you wonder why you ever liked the syrupy-sweet packaged version.
Iced Spiced Chai Latte
(makes 8 cups with Takeya 2 quart Iced Tea Maker)
Ingredients:
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 6-inch piece ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 2 TAKEYA Classic Black Tea Packets
- 41⁄2 cups milk (substitute: almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 6 tablespoons honey
- ice (appoximately 4 cups)
1. PREP Add cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger and cloves to the Tea Infuser. Tear open the TAKEYA Classic Black Tea Packets, pour tea into Tea Infuser and twist into lid.
2. BREW & FLAVOR Heat milk to a boil and fill the pitcher halfway. Lower the lid with attached Tea Infuser into the hot milk, allowing steam to vent, and brew for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and detach the Tea Infuser. Stir in ground cardamom and honey until dissolved.
3. FLASH CHILL Top off with ice, seal lid and shake for 30 seconds to flash chill.
Tip: For a spicier sip, add a thinly sliced 6-inch piece of ginger and 8 cinnamon sticks (from Tea Infuser) to the Fruit Infuser, and infuse in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
