I changed up my chai recipe a bit tonight, only 1 clove, more ginger, maybe more coriander and fennel, less cinnamon. Oh and in total used the ingredients coriander, cinnamon, cadamom, fresh ginger, black peppercorns, a single clove, and fennel. It smelled a lot spicier, I like it. I also used 12 oz water, simmered spices for 10 mins, and steeped Verdant’s Shui Xian Wuyi oolong in it for the base, one of my favorite oolongs. This made for a buttery smelling chai, and to top it off, I used 1/8 cup cream and 1/8 cup 2% milk today lol. And… If that wasn’t creamy enough.. When I added honey (1 tsp) I also added in 1/8 tsp vanilla extract (unfortunately artificial extract).
The result? The creamiest, richest chai I’ve ever had. My goodness. It probably didn’t need the vanilla, and I was worried it ruined it, but it adds a wonderful sweetness. My next experiment, I want to buy whole vanilla beans and put one in. Lol and the added cream with the Wuyi just puts it over the top into decadent, buttery goodness. I imagine my lactose intolerance will be furious with me, but I am gonna enjoy this slice of heaven for now. I quite enjoy my chai experiments!
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I like using whole vanilla beans. To get most of the flavour you technically should split the pod open, then scrape out the inerds to use for the flavour. I will sometimes throw in a whole pod or just cut a pod into chunks, it works ok but the flavour is not terribly strong that way.
Good to know! I will cut it open to maximize the creaminess :) where do you buy them at? I’ve never looked for them in a store.
I have milk issues too, and I use coconut or almond milk regularly with my chais, and they’re delicious. You can buy vanilla pods in the bakery section of your grocery store, or grab ground vanilla bean powder online from places like iHerb.
Thanks for the info, I will look for them next time I go :) I’m still chicken to try almond milk with my peanut allergy, but as I gain confidence and eat more things with almonds that might be a possibility. I’ll definitely have to try coconut, I tried soy and it made my mouth itch badly immediately :( I’m sure one will work though! Haha tonight I was feeling daring so I did the cream :) so good though!
You may also find vanilla bean pods in a bulk ingredient store, like Bulk Barn, Nutters, etc.
Oooh I love Bulk Barn, I always buy so much candy when I’m there haha, maybe I will go there :D
I like using whole vanilla beans. To get most of the flavour you technically should split the pod open, then scrape out the inerds to use for the flavour. I will sometimes throw in a whole pod or just cut a pod into chunks, it works ok but the flavour is not terribly strong that way.
Good to know! I will cut it open to maximize the creaminess :) where do you buy them at? I’ve never looked for them in a store.
I have milk issues too, and I use coconut or almond milk regularly with my chais, and they’re delicious. You can buy vanilla pods in the bakery section of your grocery store, or grab ground vanilla bean powder online from places like iHerb.
Thanks for the info, I will look for them next time I go :) I’m still chicken to try almond milk with my peanut allergy, but as I gain confidence and eat more things with almonds that might be a possibility. I’ll definitely have to try coconut, I tried soy and it made my mouth itch badly immediately :( I’m sure one will work though! Haha tonight I was feeling daring so I did the cream :) so good though!
You may also find vanilla bean pods in a bulk ingredient store, like Bulk Barn, Nutters, etc.
Oooh I love Bulk Barn, I always buy so much candy when I’m there haha, maybe I will go there :D