Chai is a popular and delicious drink enjoyed by millions of people around the world. If you are looking to explore some food with chai options, from snacks and fruits to any other meal, we've got you covered.
Best Food with Chai?
If you are a chai lover, you probably want to enjoy your tea with a favorite meal without losing that sweet or savory taste. Below, we have rounded up some food you can take with your chai, from fruits, cheesecake, and ice cream to pudding. But first, let's see what chai is and the kind of spices you can use.
What is a Chai Tea Latte?
Are you wondering what chai latte is? Perhaps you've heard of a coffee latte, but not a chai latte. Simply put, a chai latte is a combination of steamed milk and a mixture of spices. Masala tea is a well-known flavor among many of us, but there are many other flavors, including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, black peppercorn, cardamom, and star anise. Regardless of your taste, this mixture combined with a sweetener of your choice makes a refreshing drink: one that's warm, inviting, and inherently comforting.
What Should I Add to My Chai Latte?
Spices are a great way to add a rich flavor to your chai tea. Often, cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, and star anise are the best spices for your chai latte. The ratio at which you'll combine these spices depends on your preference. Many people prefer chai latte with a rich flavor of cinnamon and ginger while going easy on clove, cardamom, and star anise. You can customize your chai latte even further by adding vanilla, honey, or your favourite sweetener.
What Fruit Goes With Chai?
Pairing tea with fruits sounds strange for the average person, but not a tea lover. A cup of chai tea goes quite well with almost anything, including some of your favourite fruits. Whether you want to take whole fruits with chai or organise a tea party with fruit salads, you'll never go wrong.
And while most fruits pair well with chai, some may have a delicate flavour that won't taste great with the various spices in your chai. When selecting these fruits, always go for dried options such as raisins, prunes, dates, apricots, figs, and peaches. For a healthier treat, you can avoid those dried fruits with added sugar. Examples include pineapple, mango, and berries. Generally, you want to go for a dried fruit that leans toward the sweet rather than the tart flavour.
Best Ways to Drink Chai
There are several ways you can prepare and enjoy your chai. Chai lovers from various regions around the world have their unique ways of embracing this spice-filled, aromatic beverage. Ideally, you can use as many or fewer ingredients to make your chai as you wish.
Most people will brew their chai using their favourite chai stash and spices like cinnamon, vanilla, and cardamom. And depending on their taste and preferences, they can choose any sweetener, i.e., either sugar or a healthier alternative like honey, stevia, Yacon syrup, etc.
Another way to enjoy your chai is by adding some creamy milk or mylk alternative to get that refreshing chai latte. You can use any milk variety or brand, but a creamy one will give your chai latte that authentic, frothy taste.
You could serve this drink warm, iced or at room temperature with dried fruits, scones, pancakes, waffles, or on its own. The type of chai base you pick matters a lot. Consider using our Monk's chair organic specialty tea for that spicy and invigorating taste.
Health Benefits of Chai
Not only is chai delicious, but it's also beneficial to your health. Here are a few of the many health benefits of chai.
- Rich in antioxidants – Chai contains antioxidants that reduce free radicals in the body and help boost cellular health.
- Promote heart health – Chai contains a unique compound known as flavonoids which play a crucial role in promoting heart health.
- Improves digestion – By soothing stomach troubles, chai helps to improve digestion.
- Increases energy and alertness – You can always count on chai to give you a boost throughout the day and help to increase alertness and focus without the jitters and adverse effects of caffeine.
- Good for your skin – Chai is high in vitamins and minerals vital for your skin like zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
- Good for your brain – Chai has been shown to improve focus and boost cognitive functions.
Best Food to Pair with Chai
Now that you know the benefits of chai, you might wonder what is the best way to drink chai, or can you pair food with chai? The answer is yes. Chai is distinctly robust and can perfectly complement a wide array of food. Below, we've rounded up the best food to pair with Chai.
- Milk Chocolate- While sugar and milk (or mylk) are often added to chai to make a perfect latte, milk chocolate provides a better substitute for a wonderful afternoon treat.
- Scones- Since scones are typically less sugary than most pastries like muffins or cinnamon rolls, scones are perfect pastries to take with chai.
- Biscuits – pair your favourite biscuit with chai and enjoy it with your entire family. You can choose the more nutritious, less sugary biscuit brands if you are more health-conscious. We love Parle-G as a pairing!
- Pancakes or Crepes- We are probably looking for an excuse to eat pancakes here but a starchy freshly cooked cake is an outstanding pairing for a masala chai.
- Popcorn- You might have discovered that popcorn pairs well with wine. Like wine, chai’s complexity similarly pairs well with popcorn for that lazy evening treat.
- Porridge or Oats- Chai’s big flavours go outstandingly well with a neutral bowl of hearty oats or porridge.
- Samosa – this baked or fried pastry combines perfectly with Chai tea. The snack is enjoyed in various regions around the world but has its roots in South Asian culture. Your samosa can be filled with vegetables or spiced meat, and pairing either of these with chai tea can make a great lunchtime or evening treat.
- Biscuits or Cookies: Simple biscuits or cookies like shortbread, ginger snaps, or butter cookies make for a delightful pairing with chai. The subtle sweetness of the treats complements the spiciness of the tea.
- Pakoras: Another popular Indian snack, pakoras are deep-fried fritters made with vegetables like potatoes, onions, or spinach. Their crispy texture and flavorful spices work well alongside a cup of chai.
- Toast with Jam: A simple toast with your favorite jam or preserves can be a comforting companion to a cup of chai, especially during breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
- Nuts: Roasted or spiced nuts like almonds, cashews, or pistachios can provide a crunchy and satisfying accompaniment to chai.
- Savory Crackers: Opt for savory crackers like cheese crackers, multigrain, or whole wheat crackers, which pair well with the spiced tea.
- Cheese Platter: If you prefer a more substantial option, a cheese platter with a variety of cheeses, dried fruits, and nuts can be an excellent choice to balance out the chai's flavor.
- Medu Vada: This South Indian savory doughnut-shaped snack made from lentil batter goes wonderfully with chai, especially if you enjoy a touch of spice.
