Whip up this Easy Pumpkin Chai Latte recipe with 1/2 THE SUGAR of other chai lattes and all the flavor. Savor the season while keeping healthy! Making this recipe at home is much healthier than store-bought because you have control over the ingredients.
Why This Pumpkin Chai Latte?
Come autumn, I find myself drooling over the pictures of famous coffeehouses’ fancy lattes but shy away from them, knowing how high in sugar they are. And, I also can’t say what exactly goes in the drinks without some investigation. Many odd, unhealthy ingredients are added in foods not made at home.
I looked into those coffeehouse drinks and discovered that a typical Chai Pumpkin Latte has at least twice the amount of sugar as this recipe does. I could drink two of these lattes, then.
Whenever I mention posting a Pumpkin Chai Latte recipe, everyone perks up and lets me know how interested they are in getting it. There is something about seasonal and holiday foods that resonates with us. Food and our sense of smell strongly connect us to memories and emotions. Also, biologically we are in tune with eating with the seasons in which we live.
The History Behind Pumpkin Chai Latte
Where did Chai Tea Originate?
People throughout the world have enjoyed chai tea since ancient times. It is believed that chai originated in India, where it was first made as a medicinal tea. In Ayurvedic medicine, chai is also used medicinally.
Chai means “tea” in Hindi, Urdu, and other languages people in India speak. So, when we say, “chai tea,” we are really saying “tea tea”. But, in many places, “chai tea” has come to mean tea with spices.
In India, traditional chai is made with black tea leaves steeped in hot water. Adding spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and mace is common. In some parts of Asia, chai tea is served as a dessert.
Today, chai tea is often brewed using milk instead of water. It is also commonly mixed with sugar or honey. Also today, there are many variations on the classic drink, including flavored syrups, lattes, and even pumpkin spice versions, like this one.
What Is the Nutrition in This Pumpkin Chai Latte?
Spices:
The spices used in chai tea mixes vary from brand to brand. I use Tazo Regenerative Organic Chai Tea Bags that I buy at my local grocery store. They are also available online. Below are the nutritional components of the spices from that mixture.
- Ginger: Antioxidants
- Cinnamon: Antioxidants, Vitamins: Vitamin A (1/2 of a teaspoon provides 4% of your daily requirement)
- Black Pepper: Minerals: Potassium (1/4 of a teaspoon provides 10% of your potassium requirement), Calcium (1/4 of a teaspoon offers 3% of your daily calcium requirement).
- Cardamom: Minerals: Potassium (1/2 of a teaspoon provides 11% of your daily potassium requirement)
- Cloves: Antioxidants, Minerals: Calcium (1/2 of a teaspoon gives 6% of your daily calcium requirement)
- Star Anise: Gas-releasing agent – this helps with bloating by expelling trapped gas.
Notes:
What do antioxidants do?
Antioxidants defend the body against free radical damage and restrict the progress of diseases.
What is Vitamin A for?
Vitamin A supports cell growth and immunity.
What does calcium do?
Calcium is essential for your muscles, bones, and nervous system.
What is Potassium for?
Potassium assists in the functioning of cells. It does this by regulating the heartbeat, muscles, and nerves and aids in using carbohydrates and protein.
Green tea isn’t the only warm beverage that has impressive health benefits!
Medicinal uses:
Chai Tea is used to treat several ailments.
- Black Tea: Research indicates that people who drink several cups of black tea daily might lower their blood pressure.
- Chai tea is used for digestive disorders, such as diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion. For digestion, it is usually consumed after a meal. Ginger, especially, is well known to help with nausea.
- Chai tea has been used to relieve headaches. Most likely, this is due to the effects of caffeine.
- Chai tea might also aid in reducing insomnia. Though, be sure to use the caffeine-free version if you want to try to see if it helps you sleep.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Pumpkin Chai Latte:
For the Tea –
1 1/2 c Filtered Water
2 Chai Tea Bags
1/8 t Vanilla
2T Maple Syrup
2 T Pumpkin Puree
For the Pumpkin Foam:
1 c Cow’s or Coconut Milk
1 T Pumpkin Puree
1/4 t Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 t Vanilla
Cinnamon to top
How to Brew a Pumpkin Chai Latte
Directions:
- Bring water to a boil.
- Pour water into two mugs.
- Add one tea bag to each mug. Steep 5 minutes (or longer for a spicy tea).
- Mix milk, 1 T pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in a milk frother or in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat.
- Warm and froth milk mixture in the frother. Or warm and froth in the pot using an emersion blender or a hand blender.
- Take tea bags out of the mugs and divide vanilla, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree between the two mugs. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour frothed milk into the mugs.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Tips For Making Pumpkin Chai Latte
- For a caffeine-free version, use Rooibos Chai. I like Numi Rooibos Chai, which I purchase from my local grocery store. It is also available for purchase online.
- The emersion blender is my favorite way to achieve the beautiful foam on top of this latte. I find it works better than the milk frother and hand blender.
- Here is the link to purchase my favorite for making healthy drinks emersion/ hand blender.
I first introduced this recipe when I appeared on the Great Day SA morning show on October 4th. You can watch a replay of the show here: https://www.kens5.com/watch “Christie Kelemen Cooks 3 Healthy Autumn Recipes”. Search for “Christie Kelemen Cooks 3 Healthy Autumn Recipes” in the replay section.
In this episode, I demonstrate three recipes: Pumpkin Chai Latte, Cooked Autumn Fruit, and Cranberry Pumpkin Bread. The Cooked Autumn Fruit Recipe is in my cookbook, SHORTCUT REAL FOOD: 20-minute meals.
Also try my healthy and easy Cranberry Pumpkin Bread recipe.
I am very excited to have been invited back to the show. When I first published my cookbook, SHORTCUT REAL FOOD: 20-minute meals, I was invited to demonstrate recipes from it on air. The video is on my website to view at Christie Kelemen.com/cookbook.
For that episode I cooked my Asian Lettuce Wraps Dinner and Salmon, Kale, and Cranberry Salad recipes. I also brought completed examples of my Chocolate Protein Mousse and Pesto Chicken Salad Lunch. For a fun twist, I served the Pesto Chicken Salad on top of thick tomato slices. That is now my favorite way to eat that salad. All these recipes are available in my cookbook.
See the Easy Pumpkin Chai Latte Recipe below:
Easy Pumpkin Chai Latte Recipe
Whip up this Easy Pumpkin Chai Latte recipe with 1/2 THE SUGAR of other chai lattes and all the flavor. Grab more easy, healthy recipes at ChristieKelemen.com/blog.
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Tea:
1 1/2 c Filtered Water
2 Chai Tea Bags
1/8 t Vanilla
2T Maple Syrup
2 T Pumpkin Puree
For the Pumpkin Foam:
1 c Cow’s or Coconut Milk
1 T Pumpkin Puree
1/4 t Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 t Vanilla
Cinnamon to top
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil.
- Pour water into two mugs.
- Add one tea bag to each mug. Steep 5 minutes (or longer for a spicy tea).
- Mix milk, 1 T pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in a milk frother or in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat.
- Warm and froth milk mixture in the frother. Or warm and froth in the pot using an emersion blender or a hand blender.
- Take tea bags out of the mugs and divide vanilla, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree between the two mugs. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour frothed milk into the mugs.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Notes
- For a caffeine-free version, use Robious Chai. I like Numi Robius Chai, which I purchase from my local grocery store. It is also available online.
- The emersion blender is my favorite way to achieve the beautiful foam on top of this latte. I find it works better than the milk frother and hand blender.
- For another fall recipe, check out my Cranberry Pumpkin Bread recipe at ChristieKelemen.com/blog.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Pumpkin Chai Latte
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This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat any health condition or to be prescriptive for anyone. Always be sure to work with your healthcare practitioner before making any changes.
Also, share your comments below. I’d love to know what you think about this recipe.
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