Chai tea is a tea from India that contains various spices in addition to tea herbs. Finished with milk, it is therefore not just any tea. Due to its spices and tea herbs, chai tea is a powerful herbal tea that has various health benefits and can even improve your mood.
What is chai tea
Chai tea is actually double. The tea comes from India where the word chai means tea. However, in the Western world, chai is known as chai tea. Another name is masala chai, which means mixed spice tea. This is what chai tea is, a mix of spices.
In India, every region has its own recipe, so the recipe is not fixed. However, the following four elements are always used:
- Tea herbs
- Spices
- Milk
- Sweetener
Tea herbs
Various tea herbs can be used with chai tea. The most common is black tea. But green tea is also used. The type of tea not only makes chai tea taste different, but also causes the caffeine content to be different. Black tea contains more caffeine.
Spices
There are recipes that only use ginger and green cardamom. But most chai tea recipes use more than just these two. Cinnamon, fennel seeds, pepper and cloves are often also added. Other ingredients that can be used are nutmeg, rose and licorice.
Milk
In India, buffalo milk is traditionally used. The milk is often obtained from the buffalo on the same day. In the West, whole cow’s milk is used.
Sweetener
As a sweetener, white sugar, Demerara sugar, other brown sugar, palm or coconut sugar, syrup or honey can be used. However, many people nowadays no longer use sweeteners because too much sugar is not beneficial to their health. Others prefer to use a sweetener because it enhances the taste of the spices.
Is chai tea healthy?
Benefits for the skin
When black tea is used as a base, there is good news, because this tea contains many antioxidants that are good for the skin. These antioxidants help protect the skin against, for example, solar radiation. The antioxidants ensure that the skin retains its natural vibrancy and elasticity. This helps prevent wrinkles.
Another reason antioxidants are good for the skin is because they protect the body against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause aged skin.
Preventing diabetes
Drinking chai tea with cinnamon as a spice can help prevent diabetes. Cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar levels. However, this is not permanent, so continuing to drink chai tea can benefit from the prevention of diabetes.
Better digestion
If you have trouble digesting food, drinking chai tea can help. Chai tea helps to process food better and speed up metabolism. When you consume too many carbohydrates you can feel bloated. Chai tea takes away these symptoms.
Chai tea is good for your mood
Chai tea can change your mood in a positive way due to the spices and healthy dose of caffeine. The following are linked to chai tea:
Creative mood
When you need inspiration or creativity, chai tea is a good start. With the right spices you are provided with a good dose of creativity. For the perfect creativity session, it is wise to make sure the tea is within reach.
Energetic mood
Chai tea contains a healthy amount of caffeine, making it a good way to boost an energetic mood. It contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to give you a boost.
Productive mood
If black tea is your base, you can also get a productive mood. Black tea is known as tea that gives you a productive mindset.
