Can I mix chai tea with coffee?
A dirty chai latte is a mix of a classic chai latte and a shot of espresso. It’s called “dirty” because the clean, creamy chai gets a shot of dark, strong espresso dropped into it. The result is a cup full of the warming spice of chai, the kick of coffee, and the creaminess of a latte. A Dirty Chai is a mix of coffee and chai tea, named “dirty” chai because of the addition of coffee muddying up the color of the tea. It is usually made with a concentrated chai tea, a shot of espresso, and steamed milk or cream (this is, therefore, a latte).A dirty chai latte is simply a chai latte with a shot (or two) of espresso added. The “dirty” part comes from the coffee shot, which deepens the flavour and adds caffeine to the mix.A chai latte is typically prepared by steeping chai tea (or using a chai blend) and mixing it with a larger portion of steamed milk. This results in a creamier, smoother drink compared to chai tea, which is often served black or with just a splash of milk.ByEmily Dingmann Updated: November 18, 2025. Jump to Recipe· 5 from 1 review. Let’s make a dirty chai latte! Also known as a red-eye chai! This espresso drink combines coffee and spiced tea in a warm and cozy way that is incredibly delicious.You can mostly thank chai powder mixes for this sugar spike. They’re crammed with sugar, so that a single small chai latte may contain 20 grams or four teaspoons of sugar. Add in extra syrups famous in some coffee stores and you can see how you might get yourself into a sweet mess.
How much caffeine is in chai powder?
A serving of Original Chai Tea Latte Mix has approximately 35-55 mg of caffeine per serving. A cup of coffee has approximately 100-150mg per serving. For most adults, 1-2 cups of chai a day can be ideal, particularly in the morning and early afternoon. This allows you to enjoy its health benefits while avoiding potential side effects like caffeine dependency or digestive upset.A regular cup of chai or coffee often has 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar (4-8g). If you drink multiple cups a day, this can quickly add up. Try reducing sugar gradually, switching to jaggery, honey, or stevia. Stick to 1 teaspoon (4g) per cup and avoid adding sugar to every cup throughout the day.They’re crammed with sugar, so that a single small chai latte may contain 20 grams or four teaspoons of sugar. Add in extra syrups famous in some coffee stores and you can see how you might get yourself into a sweet mess.As a rule of thumb, chai tea contains about one third the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee and about one sixth the amount of a strong cup of coffee. That means you can consume several cups of chai tea a day without the negative side effects associated with several cups of coffee.
Is chai caffeine better than coffee?
While the caffeine content in a cup of chai may be lower than a cup of coffee, the benefits of sipping this tea far outweigh those of a cup of java. These benefits include mental clarity and focus for a more extended amount of time than coffee, just to name a few. Another way to stay hydrated Although the myth is that caffeinated drinks like black tea dehydrate the body, it’s not so. In actuality, the high volume of water in a cup of tea is actually quite hydrating to the body—and because chai tea has less caffeine than coffee [18], it’s the safer way to go.We usually boil the tea leaves with milk, and milk contains calcium. Ironically, the calcium in milk can actually bind to oxalates in your gut before they enter your bloodstream—preventing them from reaching your kidneys. So, chai with milk might be slightly less risky than straight black tea.As a rule of thumb, chai tea contains about one third the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee and about one sixth the amount of a strong cup of coffee. That means you can consume several cups of chai tea a day without the negative side effects associated with several cups of coffee.Chai directly translates to tea, causing the name to be a bit repetitive (tea tea). Other differences include the type of milk used. In India, whole milk is typically used, while in America, anything from skim milk to non-dairy milk can be seen incorporated into chai drinks.
What is in chai coffee?
Ingredients. Traditional chai is a combination of cinnamon, cardamom pods, cloves, and ground ginger. You could also also add a pinch of black pepper, nutmeg, star anise, or fennel seeds. Use your favorite! Rich in antioxidants: The spices and black tea in chai lattes are packed with antioxidants that protect your cells. Supports digestion: Ingredients like ginger and black pepper aid digestion naturally. Lower caffeine than coffee: Great if you want a gentle boost without the crash.A soothed, settled stomach Chai has the same soothing effect as other types of tea; it’s a warm liquid, which can inherently feel calming on an upset stomach. But chai also includes spices that are proven to steady your stomach and calm nausea. Ginger, which is central to any chai blend, is a proven anti-nausea spice.Chamomile tea is commonly used to fight symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce digestive symptoms such as upset stomach. Consuming chamomile tea can also reduce stress which is a key trigger for acid reflux and GERD symptoms.Chai Tea Benefits It’s often low in calories, making it a healthy substitute for sugary beverages such as hot cocoa or apple cider. Other potential benefits include: Lower blood pressure. The cinnamon in chai tea may prevent hypertension, especially in people with diabetes.The ginger in chai tea may support digestion in a couple different ways, including: Lowering inflammation in the gut: This can help with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastritis (inflammation of your stomach), and stomach ulcers.
Does caffeine in chai affect sleep?
Though chai does contain caffeine, its levels may not even be enough to disturb your sleep (unless you’re highly sensitive to caffeine). In fact, chai also contains tannin, which reduces the rate at which caffeine is absorbed into your system. So for the person asking in regards to caffeine, the answer is not always a simple one. No, a chai latte does not contain coffee, but it may still contain caffeine. This will largely depend on what type of chai base is added to the milk in the first place.Because chai has less caffeine and an amino acid called L-theanine, it tends to provide a gentler energy boost than coffee. Many drinkers describe it as ‘calm energy,’ Wright said.Chai tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that may help to reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. Black tea, one of the main ingredients in chai tea, also contains caffeine, which can help improve focus and mental alertness.Coffee has more caffeine than a chai latte. A typical cup has around 95 mg of caffeine, while a chai latte lands somewhere around 30-50 mg.A traditional cup of masala chai tea with black tea will contain between 30 to 70 milligrams of caffeine per eight-ounce serving. A chai green tea will contain slightly less caffeine at 35 to 45 milligrams per eight-ounce serving. While rooibos tea and other herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free.
What is in a dirty chai coffee?
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. Next time you pick up a Chai Latte, hot or cold, make it dirty! Ask to have a shot of espresso blended in for that extra kick. One not enough? Get a double dirty with 2 shots of espresso.
How to make chai coffee with milk?
Pour boiling water over chai tea bag in a mug; let steep 4 to 6 minutes. Remove and discard tea bag. Stir honey and sugar into tea to dissolve. Stir milk through tea to serve. Chai simply means tea. So when you are asking for chai tea, you are asking for tea tea. However, western world chai is a name we give to a blend of black tea and spices (and usually a good amount of sugar too) and then added to milk, hence the latte.Prepare a chai latte with cow milk. Classic chai is prepared with high-fat milk, and sometimes with condensed milk or even butter. Cow’s milk gives chai it a smooth, rich and authentic taste. It tends to work well with any blend of spices.If you’ve ever picked up a chai latte from a café or made one from a powder or syrup mix, you’re probably consuming a significant amount of sugar. On average, an 8-12oz cup of commercially made chai can contain anywhere from 20 to 35 grams of sugar—equivalent to about 5 to 9 teaspoons 🤢.Many commercial chai products use lower-quality spices and artificial flavourings that lack the depth and richness of whole spices. To compensate, they load up on sugar to mask these inferior flavours, creating a drink that’s sweet but lacking in true chai character. Want to avoid excess sugar?