Dirty Chai: What is it, benefits, uses, types and recipes

Dirty Chai is a popular espresso drink served in coffee shops, usually consisting of a shot of black tea seasoned with spices and milk, it is very beneficial.

It's usually made with a chai or tea concentrate, steamed milk, and a single shot of espresso, and the result is a cross between a regular latte and a chai latte.

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dirty chai

Quick Facts

Alternative names: Espresso Chai, Java Chai and Chai Charger.
Temperature: Hot or cold
Main ingredients: Espresso, black tea, milk

What is dirty chai?

Chai-flavored foods and drinks have become incredibly popular in recent years, and the dirty chai It's a great alternative for those who don't love the taste of strong coffee but want to drink it.

Dirty Chai is a milk drink that contains a single shot or double shot (doppio) of espresso, steamed milk and black tea with spices. It is soft and milky, fragrantly spicy, with a light coffee flavor.

To obtain more aroma from the coffee, an extra shot of espresso can be added. Furthermore, the dirty chai is one of the many ways chai spices are used to flavor foods and drinks.

The most frequently used spices in dirty chai are cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and black pepper. The latte can be served hot or cold. Hot versions include hot steamed milk and cold versions include ice.((https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2214647414000336))

Cold and dirty chai can come in the form of an iced latte or a blended latte. Additionally, sweeteners can be added to hot and cold dirty chai lattes.

Dirty Chai Benefits:

To drink black tea and espresso has been shown to contribute to a number of health benefits:

Strengthens immune system

O dirty chai It is rich in antioxidants, which promotes a healthy immune system and can help the body fight disease-causing viruses and harmful bacteria.

Protects heart health

Studies have shown that consuming dirty chai may help reduce blood pressure. It contains potassium, which relaxes tension in blood vessels and arteries. Furthermore, the black tea It can also help reduce levels of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol.

Helps those with diabetes

Studies have also shown that drinking coffee can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and drinking dirty chai reduces blood glucose levels. Additionally, by helping to regulate glucose and insulin levels in the body, it can prevent the spikes and dips that can be dangerous for diabetes.((https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/8/6/170) )

Protects intestinal health

O dirty chai contains polyphenols, which help promote the growth of good bacteria and prevent the growth of bad bacteria in the stomach.

It also has antimicrobial properties that are known to improve immunity. In addition, it eliminates intestinal bacteria and harmful substances, which helps repair the lining of the digestive tract.

Dirty Chai Uses

Dirty Chai is a coffee shop drink, typically ordered outside the home, on the go, or to get together with friends. Furthermore, because of the double dose of black tea and espresso, is a tasty energy booster and is usually consumed in the morning or afternoon, served alone or with a snack.

How to drink dirty chai

To make a dirty chai latte, whisk 8 ounces of black tea strong for 3 to 5 minutes. Additionally, in boiling water with a tea bag or 1 to 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea.

Add 1 (or 2) shots of espresso and 1 to 2 tablespoons of chai tea blend. Also, heat the milk until hot (or use a frother) and add to your taste. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

Caffeine Content in Dirty Chai

Dirty chai latte packs a double dose of caffeine black tea and a shot or two of espresso. Additionally, the average caffeine level of a 12-ounce dirty chai latte is 160 milligrams (versus 50 to 70 milligrams in a chai latte).

Buying and storing

At most coffee shops, you can order a dirty chai latte; if it's not on the menu, order a chai latte with an additional shot of espresso. Additionally, you can also make your drink a “dirty chai double”, requesting 2 shots of espresso.

If you want your chai cold, you can order an “iced dirty chai latte” or a “blended dirty chai latte” (which is blended until smooth and usually served with whipped cream and/or other toppings).

Popular brands that offer dirty chai teas to make at home include Celestial Seasonings (in tea bag form and called “spiced espresso chai”) and Simply Balanced from Target.

Which is sold in concentrated form and needs to be mixed with milk. Additionally, Alpine Start sells dirty instant chai lattes in packets; just add water and mix. All store-bought versions can be stored in the pantry.

What's in dirty chay?

Dirty chai latte is made from espresso, steamed milk and black tea with spices.

Espresso:

A concentrated form of coffee that is made by forcing a small amount of water under pressure. Additionally, almost boiling through finely ground coffee beans, producing a 1 to 2 ounce dose of coffee.

When done correctly, a rich golden cream (custard) will form on the surface. Espresso can be made with a wide variety of coffee beans and roasts.

Steamed milk:

The foam in a latte is the result of exposing milk to high-pressure steam by gradually introducing steam into the milk to create a layer of very small bubbles.

Additionally, it can be achieved with skim, low-fat, and whole milk, as well as milk alternatives such as almond, soy, or oat milk.((https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/ 10/2364))

Masala chai (spiced black tea):

India's famous spiced tea, usually made with a blend of spices. Additionally, including cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, but can also be made with a single spice such as ginger.

Flavored sweeteners and syrups:

Sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners and popular flavored syrups can be added to the dirty chai.

Types of Dirty Chai

The most common variations of dirty chai lattes are dirty chai lattes with ice and blended dirty chai lattes. Additionally, other variations of dirty chai lattes include:

Vegan/dairy free:

These alternatives are made with milk from soy or almond milk.

Dirty Green Chai Tea:

Green tea is used instead of black tea.

Hong Kong Yuanyang Coffee-Tea:

This is a mix of black tea (preferably Ceylon), sweetened condensed milk and drip coffee.

Dirty faux chai:

You can also get a flavor similar to a dirty chai latte by ordering a cinnamon latte. Also, ginger or cardamom, or ordering a spiced tea with milk and a shot of espresso.