Anyone who knows me, knows that I love my herbal teas. I just feel relaxation, comfort and cozy when I slow down just enough to enjoy sip after sip.  This usually happens after the boys go down to bed and I sit in my bed with my favorite herbal tea or a chai tea latte.  Ahhhhhhh.  I don’t even want to admit how many times I bought a “grande Cinnamon Chai tea latte please” from Starbucks. They are just so dang good! If you love flavors like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, anise, cloves and vanilla, then you will love this. I love having a warm drink in hand while I run errands or let’s be honest,…shop around. I had this epiphany one day of  “you know what, I can make this at home.”  It probably happened when I watched the barista literally pour milk and Chai concentrate mix into a cup and steam it. Too easy to NOT try at home right? I experimented a little with several different brands, techniques and even tried one from scratch (not good or worth it) and I found the winner (and a good runner up)!

I will post more about my favorite teas another day because today is all about Oregon Chai Caffeine Free Chai Tea Latte Concentrate. I know Costco sells the caffeinated version of this which I am sure is just as delicious. For those of you looking for the decaf version, I have had good luck finding it at Fred Meyer & Safeway. You can find it in the aisle where the tea bags and hot cocoa would be, sold unrefrigerated. It runs about $4 per carton and makes a total of a half gallon per carton.  Amazon sells it at a premium so better to find it in store.

The best part is that it is very simple to make. You just put half milk (I like 2%) and half of the concentrate and heat up however you like.  After tweaking it, I like mine a little sweeter and richer so I use about 1/3 milk and 2/3 mix. Using the microwave is easiest for me but I’m on the hunt for a milk steamer on Amazon.  It’s creamy and you can control the sweetness based on how you dilute it. Don’t let the weather warming up stop you from trying the heated version! This is divine on ice as well!

Second best choice is Pacific Chai Vanilla Chai Latte mix.  It is in powder form and you mix it with water.   It’s a little more spicy and has a stronger flavor.  I keep it on hand because sometimes I want to switch it up but the Oregon Chai is my go to. You can get the Pacific Chai at Fred Meyer as well. It is in a canister and runs about $8.

Make some time for yourself and try something new! Hope you enjoy as much I do. Pinkies up!