1. What is Sticky Chai?
What is sticky chai? Well, as you would have guessed, Sticky Chai is a type of tea with a shiny, wet-like appearance. Chai translates to tea in Hindi, and the term “Sticky” describes the appearance and texture of the tea. Sticky Chai is made of healthy, all-natural ingredients without preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or additives.
This sticky goodness features a calming mix of handpicked spices, black tea, and natural sweeteners. The natural sweetener in the spice blend could be coconut nectar, agave, syrup or honey.
2. The Benefits of Brewing Sticky Chai
Sticky chai is a delicious, straightforward and easy way to make an exceptional tasting spicy chai at home. Several of the ingredients in a typical blend offer the drinker a number of health benefits. The natural ingredients found in the tea contain a family of antioxidants called polyphenols that have been found to help reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
The aromatics included in sticky masala chai recipes including; Ginger, Star anise, Black and Cayenne peppers have a range of health benefits. Together these ingredients have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties. They have been used for centuries to remedy common issues like bloating, soothe sore throats, and ease coughs. While sticky chai does contain an amount of sweetness as a binder and natural preserve, the pure organic ceylon cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels and offsets sugar cravings, making it ideal for people battling type 2 diabetes.
Sticky Chai also contains caffeine, which helps boost memory, improve mental cognition and decrease fatigue. The black tea base gives drinkers a great boost without robbing adrenals like coffees or other stimulants. The energy boost is there and the settling is very gradual. Other ingredients such as cloves help digestion by relaxing the gastrointestinal tract lining.
3. Where to Buy Sticky Chai?
If you are looking to buy Sticky Chai, there are several online and physical shops you can choose from. Sticky Chai blends are available under different names and packaging sizes. An example is the Monk’s Organic Chai, a Sticky Chai blend sold at monkschai.com and available to ship worldwide. To ensure you are buying the right product, it’s advisable to always buy your sticky chai from a reputable store/seller.
4. Some Good Recipes of sticky chai
To make your Sticky Chai tea, you will need milk and a few tablespoons of fresh Monk’s Chai. Your recipe can be as common or as unique you wish. Below are two sample recipes to help you learn how to make sticky chai at home.
Recipe 1: Turmeric Sticky Chai
This is a sticky Chai recipe with turmeric as an added spice. Turmeric has Curcumin as its active ingredient, an antioxidant that helps lower the risk of heart disease and ease depression.
Ingredients
- One teaspoon of freshly rough smashed fresh turmeric.
- Two tablespoons of fresh Monk’s Chai blend.
- 1.5 cup of plant-based milk.
- You can also add coconut oil to make the tea creamy and superfood packed.
Directions
Place all the ingredients into a pot, then simmer for around 4 minutes
Strain the liquid into the mug while discarding the used chai mixture.
Serve your chai while hot.
Recipe 2: Whiskey Hot Toddy (Thanks Urban:List!).
Ingredients
- 60mls of hot brewed Monk’s Chai (Soak 20grams of Monk’s Chai blend in hot water for 5 minutes.)
- 20mls of Fresh Lemon Juice.
- 50mls of fine whisky.
- 10mls of honey or one teaspoon of sugar.
Directions
Strain the Monk’s Chai using a fine-mesh sieve.
Add lemon juice and fine whisky.
Add honey or sugar, then stir.
Serve the drink while hot.
Enjoy Your Sticky Chai Today
Now that you know what is sticky chai and its benefits, it’s time to try out this sticky, organic sweetness. From the recipes above, you can tell that brewing a homemade sticky chai is simple. Especially when it’s well curated and blended product like Monk’s Chai. The average simmer time is 3 minutes, and you can choose to add more spices and a sweetener for a better taste.
However, before choosing the best wet sticky chai latte spices to buy, check the labeled ingredients to ensure they are what you expected. This will also give you an idea of the other ingredients you may need for that perfect taste.
See more: How to make a cup of tea?
5. What Is Wet Chai?
Getting to the bottom of a wet chai involves diving into the metaverse and distinguishing between “is it wet or sticky?” Multiple recipes online that swap “sticky” and “wet” as interchangeable to this elevated chai beverage. On top of dry chai leaves, “wet chai” adds fresh ginger and honey into the mix.
While the classic base of a chai consists of aromatic seasoning, wet chai tea adds natural sweetness and charm to every cup brewed.
In Between The Leaves: Wet Chai Vs. Dry Chai
The biggest difference between sticky or wet chai is the additional sweetener. Adding honey, agave, or preferred sugar/sweetener instantly changes the composition of the chai. As opposed to the spicy and tangy mug we are accustomed to with steamed milk, the flavour palette will expand to include an increase in sweetness and richness.
Both versions are suitable to pair with steamed milk and can be the base for a latte creation that begins any day with zest and vigour!
Bonus Recipe Vanilla Sticky Wet Chai
This recipe makes 11/2 cups and can be refrigerated to drink at a later time.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 ground sticks of Cinnamon - chunky is best
- 3 vanilla beans cut into 2cm pieces
- 1 cup Monks Organic Chai Leaves
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 teas nutmeg finely ground
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 1/4 cup Manuka Australian Honey heated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
- Add Monks Organic Chai, coconut, nutmeg and ginger into the food processor or use mortar and pestle. Once combined, add to a small bowl.
- Add the hot honey and lemon juice into the mixture. Enjoy with your choice of steamed milk or place in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for easy reheat. Do not refrigerate with milk.
See also: What is Dirty Chai?