Can you cold brew chai tea?

Cold brew tea has become an increasingly popular drink over the past few years. As more people discover the joys of cold brew coffee, some have started to wonder if you can use the same cold brewing process to make chai tea as well. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at cold brew chai tea and see if it’s possible to successfully brew chai using the cold brew method.

What is Chai Tea?

Before we can determine if chai tea can be cold brewed, it’s important to understand exactly what chai tea is. Chai tea originated in India, where it has been consumed for thousands of years. The word “chai” simply means tea in several languages, including Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati.

Traditional chai tea starts with black tea leaves which are then combined with various spices and herbs. Common spices used in chai include:

• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Star anise
• Black pepper
• Ginger
• Cloves

The specific blend of spices can vary, but cardamom and ginger are nearly always included. Black tea leaves are essential, as they provide the base flavor and caffeine content.

Beyond the tea leaves and spices, traditional chai tea is made with cow’s or buffalo milk. The milk helps give a creamy, luxurious texture. Sugar is also added to balance out the spicy flavors.

So in summary, authentic chai tea consists of:

• Black tea leaves
• Spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger etc.
• Milk
• Sugar

The resulting beverage is aromatic, spicy, slightly sweet, and can be served hot or iced.

What is Cold Brew Tea?

Now that we understand what makes up chai tea, let’s look at what cold brew tea is. Cold brewing is a process where tea leaves are steeped in room temperature or cool water for an extended period of time, usually 12 hours or longer.

This differs from traditional iced tea, where hot tea is brewed first, then chilled later. With cold brewing, the tea never comes into contact with hot water.

The benefits of cold brew tea are:

• Delicate, nuanced flavor – No risk of oversteeping or tannin bitterness
• Higher antioxidant content – Cold water extracts more antioxidants from tea leaves
• Lower caffeine content – Caffeine extracts faster in hot water
• Naturally sweet taste – No need to add as much sugar

Cold brewing works well for many types of tea, especially green and white teas. But can it work for chai? Let’s analyze that next.

Can You Cold Brew Chai Tea?

When it comes to cold brewing chai tea specifically, there are a few factors to consider:

1. Spice Solubility

Chai tea contains strong spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. These spices have essential oils that impart flavor. However, the solubility of these oils is better in hot water compared to cold. So the spices may not dissolve as well during a cold brew.

There are a couple ways to combat this. You can use ground spices instead of whole spices, since the smaller surface area will allow more oils to be released. Gentle agitation of the tea mixture periodically during the brew time also helps.

2. Milk Dilution

Another key component of chai tea is the milk. Since cold brew tea concentrates flavors, it’s common to dilute it with water or ice before drinking. But diluting chai concentrate with just water would result in a very strong spice flavor without the milk to balance it out.

Instead, you’d need to dilute the chai concentrate with milk or a milk alternative like almond or oat milk. This achieves the same creamy, spiced flavor as traditionally hot-brewed chai.

3. Sugar Content

Sugar is also integral in balancing chai tea’s flavor. Black tea can sometimes develop bitter notes during cold brewing. So you may need to increase the amount of sugar in a cold brew chai to achieve the desired sweetness.

However, this is subjective based on personal taste preferences. The natural sweetness of the milk can also offset any potential bitterness.

4. Caffeine Content

Lastly, since cold brewing extracts less caffeine from tea leaves, a cold brew chai will have slightly less caffeine than a hot brewed version. For some, this may be preferable if you want to enjoy chai in the evenings or don’t want an overly caffeinated beverage.

But the black tea still provides a moderate dose of caffeine for an energy boost when drinking cold brew chai during the day.

Chai Tea Cold Brew Ratio

Based on the points above, it’s clearly possible to cold brew chai tea. The key is using the right ratio of ingredients to allow the spices to properly extract and the milk to balance the concentration.

Here is one recommended cold brew chai concentrate recipe:

Chai Tea Cold Brew Concentrate

Ingredient	Amount
Black tea leaves	1/2 cup
Cardamom pods, crushed	20 pods
Cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces	3 sticks
Whole cloves	10 cloves
Ground ginger	1 tablespoon
Water	4 cups
Granulated sugar	1/4 cup

1. Add the black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a large glass jar or pitcher.
2. Heat the water until just before a boil, then let it cool for 5 minutes.
3. Pour the warm water over the spices and tea. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
4. Allow to steep at room temperature for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours for stronger flavor.
5. Strain the chai concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve.
6. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

To make a serving of cold brew chai:

• Mix 1 part concentrate with 1 part milk of choice
• Add ice
• Adjust sweetness if desired

The milk balances the strong spice infusion from cold brewing, while maintaining a creamy chai flavor. Feel free to experiment with additional sweeteners, spices, or even spirits in your cold brew chai!

Cold Brew Chai Tea Benefits

Drinking cold brew chai tea offers a few advantages compared to a hot chai latte:

• More refreshing and hydrating when served chilled over ice
• Highlighted spice flavors from cold extraction
• Lower in caffeine for evening relaxation
• Easier to make in large batches rather than hot brewing
• Milk doesn’t scald or curdle from hot brewing

The only downside is that some subtleties from the black tea may be muted. But overall, cold brewing is a great way to enjoy chai tea in a new form.

How to Make Iced Chai Tea from a Cold Brew Concentrate

Once you have a batch of cold brew chai concentrate made, it’s easy to transform it into delicious iced chai tea lattes:

1. Fill a glass with ice
2. Add 1 part chai concentrate
3. Add 1 part milk/alternative of choice
4. Stir gently to combine
5. Sweeten with more sugar/honey if desired
6. Garnish with extras like cinnamon or cardamom

You can also get creative and use the concentrate in chai tea cocktails. Simply combine with spirits, extra spices, herbs, or fruit flavors.

Some combinations to try:

• Chai rum punch – Combine with spiced rum and pineapple juice
• Chai sangria – Mix with red wine and fall fruits like apples and pears
• Chai and bourbon – Splash in some bourbon or whiskey

Let your imagination run wild when using cold brew chai concentrate in beverages!

How to Make Cold Foam for Cold Brew Chai Tea

One trendy way to take cold brew chai to the next level is by topping it with cold foam. Cold foam has a texture like frothy cappuccino foam while remaining chilled.

To make cold foam:

1. Chill a mixing bowl and whisk in the fridge for at least 15 minutes
2. Pour 1/2 cup of milk of choice into the cold bowl
3. Using the chilled whisk, vigorously whisk the milk for 30 to 60 seconds until thick and foamy
4. Top your iced chai latte with 1-2 inches of the cold foam
5. Drink immediately before the foam collapses

Some tips for best results:

• Use a milk with higher fat and protein like whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk
• Keep all equipment as cold as possible
• Whisk vigorously to incorporate air
• Work quickly before the milk warms up

The cold foam adds a fun textural twist to chilled chai tea.

How to Store Cold Brew Chai Tea Concentrate

One of the major advantages of preparing chai tea with the cold brew method is the concentrate keeps for up to 2 weeks refrigerated.

Here are some tips for storing your cold brew chai concentrate:

• Make sure concentrate is completely cooled before storing
• Transfer to an airtight container like a mason jar or pitcher with lid
• Ensure the container is non-reactive (glass or stainless steel, not plastic or aluminum)
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 14 days maximum
• Give the concentrate a stir or shake before each use
• Discard if any mold or off smells develop

Properly stored, your cold brew chai concentrate will retain its flavors and caffeine potency. But don’t leave it at room temperature or it risks spoiling.

You can also freeze leftover chai concentrate in ice cube trays. Then pop out a cube whenever you want easy iced chai!

Chai Tea Cold Brew vs. Hot Brew Chai

Now that we know cold brew chai is doable, how does it compare to traditional hot brewed chai? Here’s a breakdown:

Attribute	Cold Brew Chai	Hot Brew Chai
Taste	Stronger spice flavor, slightly less black tea nuance	More complexity from black tea, balanced spice flavor
Caffeine content	Lower due to cold water extraction	Higher amount of caffeine
Prep time	12+ hours steeping time	5-10 minutes active time
Milk texture	Remains frothy when chilled	Milk can curdle if boiled
Storage	Lasts up to 2 weeks refrigerated	Best fresh-made
Serving temperature	Chilled over ice	Hot

Neither is necessarily better – it depends on your flavor preferences and whether you want hot or iced chai!

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about making cold brew chai tea? Here are some common FAQs:

What is masala chai?

Masala chai is simply the Indian name for spiced tea. It refers to the combination of black tea with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger etc. to make “masala” (spiced) chai tea.

What kind of black tea is best for chai?

Assam, Ceylon, and other full-bodied black teas are ideal for chai. They stand up well to the spices and milk. Avoid delicate black teas like Darjeeling which can get overpowered.

Is cold brew chai just as strong as hot chai?

Due to the cold water extraction, cold brew chai concentrate won’t be quite as intense as hot brewed. But diluting with milk provides plenty of rich flavor. Adjust the tea to water ratio to make stronger if desired.

How long does cold brew chai last?

The chai concentrate will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. After that, the spice flavors start to fade. Finished chilled chai is best enjoyed right away over ice before the ice melts too much.

Can you use decaf black tea?

Yes, you can cold brew chai with decaf black tea. You’ll get the same spices and milk flavor without the caffeine kick. Rooibos tea is another caffeine-free option.

Conclusion

Cold brew chai tea is a refreshing, delicious way to enjoy chai any time of day. By using the right ratio of ingredients, spices, and milk, you can absolutely successfully cold brew chai at home with impressive results. The process draws out bolder spice flavors while maintaining the signature creamy, spiced chai profile.

Cold brew chai concentrate keeps for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, allowing you to quickly make iced chai lattes or tea cocktails on demand. Simply mix with milk and ice for an ultra-refreshing beverage. Top with cold foam for an extra fun twist.

While different from traditional hot chai, cold brew chai stands on its own as a tasty adaptation using an easy cold steeping method. So don’t be afraid to experiment with cold brewing your own customized chai tea blends this summer!