Spice up all kinds of dishes and learn about chai spice with this DIY, homemade chai spice mix recipe. Made by a nutrition expert with only 5 ingredients and in under 5 minutes.
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Chai is the Hindi word for “tea”. Western diets tend to refer to the Eastern “spiced tea” or masala chai as simply “chai”. While variations of the recipe exist, modern mixes usually contain a type of tea plus the following spices:
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Cloves
Ginger
Pepper
In the past few years, I’ve discovered the joy of creating or replicating my favorite spice blends. Once I found out how easy it was to make my own pumpkin pie spice, I was sold!
While typically added to milk and sweeteners, I’ve found that there are other ways to make use of this spice mix. My favorites include:
Gifting it to chai-loving friends or for holidays
Adding it to herbal teas and smoothies
Mixing it into batter (muffins, cakes, pancakes, or waffles)
Sprinkling it over breakfast bowls or overnight oats
Seasoning chia pudding
Using it as an optional ingredient in homemade ice cream
This mix tastes great hot or cold, so feel free to experiment with different dishes. I’ve also included pepper as an optional ingredient in this recipe. Many on the Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP) avoid peppers due to the belief that it is inflammatory, and I personally think the ginger and other spices create that “spiced” sensation without using pepper as an ingredient.
Current research shows that while black pepper (with piperine as the active ingredient) can have anti-inflammatory effects, some consumers such as those with gastrointestinal disorders, immune conditions, or a history of digestive sensitivity may report negative effects.
The Recipe
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Chai Spice Mix
Caffeine Free, 5-Ingredient, 5-Minute
Gluten-free | Dairy-free | No Sugar Added
Ingredients
2 Tbsp Saigon cinnamon, ground
1 ½ Tbsp ginger, ground
2 ¼ tsp cardamom, ground
¼ heaping tsp nutmeg, ground
¼ heaping tsp cloves, ground
Optional: black pepper, to taste (½-3 tsp depending on desired spice level)
Instructions
Wash hands.*
Add all of the spices to a small jar. Put the lid on the jar and shake the container until combined.
Store at room temperature for up to 3 months.
For serving:
Hot: Combine 1-1 ½ tsp chai mix with 1 cup homemade or store-bought nut milk. Add up to 1 Tbsp natural sweetener, such as maple syrup, to taste.
Iced: Combine 1 - 1 ½ tsp chai mix with 2 tsp water and up to 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or other natural sweetener of choice). Once it forms a paste but is not too clumpy add ice cubes and dairy-free or nut milk on top. Stir to combine.
Other ideas for use:
Gifting it to chai-loving friends or for holidays
Adding it to herbal teas and smoothies
Mixing it into batter (muffins, cakes, pancakes, or waffles)
Sprinkling it over breakfast bowls or overnight oats
Seasoning chia pudding
Using it as an optional ingredient in homemade ice cream
Notes
*See this post for instructions on proper hand washing for optimal health: https://www.anniweeks.com/post/organize-with-anni-how-to-set-up-a-sanitation-station
Adapted from Minimalist Baker: https://minimalistbaker.com/5-minute-caffeine-free-chai-mix/
Have you taste tested this recipe? Tell me what you think!😍👍
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References
Asay S. 8 Homemade Seasoning Blends & Spice Mixes. Bistromd. 2021. https://www.bistromd.com/healthy-eating/top-homemade-seasoning-blends
Butt MS, Pasha I, Sultan MT, Randhawa MA, Saeed F, Ahmed W. Black pepper and health claims: a comprehensive treatise. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(9):875-886. doi:10.1080/10408398.2011.571799
The Nutrition Source. Tea. Harvard School of Public Health. 2021. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/tea/