Gut Friendly Classic Chai Latte
Warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting, this spiced milk tea is the kind of drink that feels like a hug from the inside out. Every ingredient here pulls double duty ā fresh ginger soothes and warms the digestive tract, while cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper are all celebrated for their gut-supportive properties. Whole milk adds a creamy richness that makes the spices bloom beautifully, and honey keeps the sweetness gentle and natural rather than relying on refined sugar. The method matters too: simmering the whole spices in water before the milk ever touches the pan coaxes out maximum flavor without scorching or bitterness. Steeping the tea at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil keeps everything smooth and easy on the stomach. Straining through a fine-mesh sieve means you get a silky, clean cup with all the goodness and none of the grit. It's the kind of recipe you'll come back to on slow mornings or whenever your body is asking for something nourishing and real.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more āIngredients
2 servings
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 black tea bags (or 2 tsp loose-leaf black tea)
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 2 tbsp honey, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and star anise (if using) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the liquid is fragrant and lightly amber.
- 2
Add the tea bags and milk to the saucepan. Raise the heat to medium and bring the mixture just to a gentle simmer ā small bubbles at the edges, not a rolling boil ā then reduce the heat to low and steep for 4 to 5 minutes, until the chai is deep brown and richly spiced.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!