Are you a chai or coffee enthusiast? Perhaps you have heard of or even tried a dirty chai latte. If not, we have you covered. We have discussed everything about dirty chai, from the common ingredients, benefits, and a few recipes.
What is dirty chai?
What is dirty chai, essentially?
Essentially, dirty chai is chai latte with a shot of espresso. Unlike ordinary chai (masala chai) or sticky chai, it's made with black tea or chai concentrate, a shot of espresso, and steamed milk, it’s like a blend of a latte and chai tea. The drink is flavored with spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and cloves, giving it a comforting and aromatic profile. Dirty chai can be served hot or iced, making it a versatile option for any season.
Ingredients of dirty chai:
This combination creates a creamy, flavorful drink that’s like a mix of a latte and traditional chai.
Types of dirty chai
The two most popular types of dirty chai are iced dirty chai latte and blended dirty chai latte. Other versions of dirty chai are:
- Vegan/Dairy Free dirty chai – prepared using almond or soy milk.
- Green Tea Dirty Chai – You only replace black tea with green tea with this alternative.
- Faux Dirty Chai – comprises either ginger latte, cardamom latte, or cinnamon latte with an espresso shot.
Benefits of dirty chai
Like any chai product, dirty chai offers several health benefits. These include, but are not limited to:
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Boosted immunity. Black tea in dirty chai is rich in Polyphenols such as catechins and thearubigins, the primary sources of antioxidants known to boost the immune system.
- Diabetes management. Organic black tea regulates blood glucose levels, while coffee is known to be suitable for people with Type II diabetes.
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Relieves hypertension. The high potassium content in dirty chai relaxes the tension in arteries and blood vessels.
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Anti-cancer properties. Some studies have linked espresso to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
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Improves digestion. Polyphenols in black tea increase the presence of good bacteria. It also reduces harmful ones, improving gut health.
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Boosts cognitive function. The espresso in dirty chai enhances memory and brain functions. Caffeine is also known to boost energy levels and increase concentration.
- Weight loss. Espresso helps reduce hunger pangs linked to regular snacking. The latter increases the likelihood of obesity and weight-related issues.
Explore more: Health Benefits of Chai
Calories in a cup of dirty chai
The calories in a cup of dirty chai depends on your ingredients such as the amount of sugar, honey, milk you put in your cup. But normally, dirty chai will contains around 200 calories for a cup, base on calories counter of WebMD. You can also count your carbs and calories for your own cup of dirty chai by using this calculator.
Caffeine content in dirty chai
Yes! As we know about the benefits of chai in general and dirty chai for particular, chai or dirty chai can boost cognitive function, it is because the caffeine content in black tea and espresso. The average caffeine is about 160 milligrams for 11-ounce dirty chai.
Learn more on our post Is there caffeine in chai latte
How to Make Dirty Chai at Home
Brewing dirty chai at home is simple and fast. All you need is the right ingredients and directions. Depending on how you want your dirty chai to taste, you can add or eliminate some ingredients and spices. If you are health-conscious, you can choose healthier ingredients that meet your health or lifestyle goals.
For instance, substitute artificial sugars with honey for that natural and soothing sweetness. You can also go for organic, handcrafted black tea rich in antioxidants instead of the ordinary tea stash from your local grocery shop. If you are vegan, consider using dairy-free milk. Below are some common dirty chai recipes you can make at home.
3 best dirty chai recipes
To prepare a dirty chai latte at home, you'll need some ingredients, mostly whole milk, espresso, and some spiced black tea, such as Monk's chai organic tea. Here are some of the common recipes.
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Dirty Chai Latte |
Iced Dirty Chai |
Vegan Dirty Chai |
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Ingredients:
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Ingredients:
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Follow the same ingredients. Replace the milk with vegan-friendly milk such as nut milk (almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.). For the other ingredients, follow the exact same recipes as previously mentioned. |
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Directions:
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*Tips: Make dirty chai lattes throughout the week by refrigerating a big batch of the spiced tea. When you’re craving a latte, warm up ¾ cup of the tea, add espresso, and froth the ½ cup milk! |
Brew You Dirty Chai Today!
Get all your ingredients ready and stick with the above recipes to brew your favorite dirty chai latte. Remember, you can always substitute the ingredients to suit your unique taste. Get the Monk's chai organic tea from our shop today to enjoy a healthy, tasteful dirty chai latte.
... Want more drinks? Explore Karak chai!
FAQ about dirty chai
What is Dirty Chai?
Dirty chai is a popular espresso beverage made with tea or chai concentrate, one shot of espresso, and steamed milk.
How Many Calories in A Cup of Dirty Chai?
Dirty chai will contains around 200 calories for a cup, base on calories counter of WebMD.