Sugar Free Chai Tea

Chai simply means “tea” in South Asia, but when most westerners hear chai they think of the traditional “masala chai” or spiced chai. Traditional Chai is made by brewing strong black tea leaves and aromatic herbs and spices. Once brewed, generous portions of milk and sugar are added.

The herbs and spices traditionally used are meant to promote healthy digestion, but the combination of sugar, dairy and caffeine seriously counteracts their health promoting benefits. This blend can cause major digestive distrurbance and is a powerfully addictive stimulant. Obviously not best thing for detoxing!

Companies in the west have heightened the popularity of Chai by making bottled and box mixes, but these are very high in sugar and caffeine. To gain the benefits and taste of herbs and spices without the downfalls of sugar, dairy and strong tea, try our recipe for sugar free chai tea. This is a great coffee or tea substitute for those detoxing from caffeine as well as sugar and dairy.

Each ingredient in this chai recipe has specific cleansing properties: cinnamon and ginger for your digestion, black pepper for your blood, cardamom for your colon, and cloves for your nervous system. If you’d like to add tea leaves to this recipe, try the naturally caffeine free tea rooibos – it can add a hearty flavor to your spice blend.

You can also purchase boxed caffeine free Chai, Indian Spice or Bengal Spice teas from various tea makers. But homemade is the best in taste and healing value! To order bulk organic herbs and spices for your sugar free chai tea online visit Mountain Rose Herbs. Try other ingredients to personalize your chai blend, including vanilla bean, cracked allspice, star anise, nutmeg, or chicory root. Use whole or broken spices, not ground!

Ingredients:

(Use organic whenever possible)

2-inch piece fresh ginger

3 cinnamon sticks

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

10 whole cloves

8 whole cardamom pods

8 cups purified water

1. Slice ginger and crush the cardamom pods. Lightly crush or “bruise” the other spices with the back of a spoon, a rolling pin or mortar and pestle.
2. In a large sauce pan, bring water to a boil then add all ingredients.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover pan, and simmer gently for 20 minutes or more.
4. Remove from heat and strain. Return to pot and add almond, rice, hemp or sunflower milk then reheat. Sweeten with agave nectar*, pure maple syrup, stevia or raw honey.

Serves 6

*Agave nectar appears to be a low glycemic sweetener. It is easy to use in sugar free recipes and produces delicious baking results. Since its health effects are still up for debate we recommend paying attention to how it affects your body and using it in moderation. For more information on sugar-free substitutions click here.