Citric Acid Free Spiced Chai Latte
Warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting, this spiced chai latte is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up and do absolutely nothing else. Whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and black pepper are simmered together until the kitchen smells incredible, building a bold, layered base that no powder or syrup can replicate. For anyone avoiding citric acid, store-bought chai concentrates and flavored mixes are often a minefield — many contain added acids as preservatives or flavor enhancers — so brewing from scratch with whole, unprocessed ingredients is genuinely the better path. Every single component here is naturally free of citric acid, from the fresh ginger to the honey used for sweetness. Whole milk rounds out the spiced brew with a creamy richness, and a gentle heat keeps it silky rather than scorched. A final dusting of ground cinnamon makes it feel like something you'd pay too much for at a café, except you made it yourself and you know exactly what went into it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 1 cup water
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 star anise
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp loose-leaf black tea or 2 black tea bags
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1–2 tbsp honey, to taste
For serving
- ground cinnamon, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, star anise, and ginger 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 black tea (loose-leaf or bags) to the saucepan and steep for 3 minutes, until the brew is deep brown and strongly aromatic.
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