Vanilla Chai Tea Latte

There’s something so comforting about settling down with a warm chai tea latte on a chilly day. The aromatic blend of spices, the gentle warmth spreading through your hands… It’s total bliss. But did you know this cozy beverage has awesome benefits for glowing skin? This favourite dairy-free chai tea latte recipe is delicious and packed with ingredients known for their skin-loving properties.

The Origins of Chai

Originating from India, chai is steeped in Ayurvedic traditions and crafted with a unique spice blend called “Chai Masala,” featuring stars like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. While each region has its variation, the core goal remains—supporting your immune system.

For those battling acne, a healthy immune system is a crucial component — and a big focus for our clients in The Clear Skin Solution. A robust immune system helps fight off the bacteria and inflammation that often lead to skin issues.

The Chai Tea Latte of today is a Western spin on this ancient tonic, blending spiced tea with steamed milk for a delicious, skin-friendly treat. So, each time you indulge, you’re treating your taste buds and giving your immune system—and, by extension, your skin—a little love.

Spice It Up For Your Skin

Spices add depth and flavour while packing some serious skin love. Each spice brings its own unique taste profile, creating a complex and well-rounded blend of flavours. So when you sip your chai tea latte as a cozy pick-me-up, know that it’s like treating yourself to a mini skincare routine from the inside out.

Cinnamon

This warm, sweet spice is a big player in a chai mix. But did you know that it’s also a powerhouse for your skin? Cinnamon is renowned for its anti-diabetic effects, helping to lower blood sugar levels. Balanced blood sugar isn’t just important for diabetics but is also crucial for acne sufferers.

Fun fact? Acne is sometimes referred to as Diabetes of the Skin. Elevated blood sugar levels can harm collagen and increase sebum production, leading to premature aging and clogged pores in the skin. Cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it great for supporting a balanced gut microbiome and reducing acne-promoting inflammation.

Cardamom

Cardamom is a fragrant pod spice that leaves a hint of citrus behind. It has been valued in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Inflammation can be a primary culprit behind various skin issues, including acne and eczema – so this spice is your skin’s best friend. Plus, it’s a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect your skin cells from damage and keep your complexion looking fresh and youthful.

Ginger

Adding a spicy kick to chai tea lattes, ginger is known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s been used to treat everything from nausea to menstrual pain and respiratory infections. But for our skin, these properties mean a reduction in inflammation, less puffiness, and a general boost to skin health.

Cloves

These tiny spice gems are small but mighty for your skin. Cloves possess antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory agents. This means they can help keep your skin clear of blemishes and reduce inflammation. Plus, they’re packed with antioxidants essential for maintaining a youthful glow.

Nutmeg

Traditionally used for its calming and relaxing effects, did you know nutmeg also contains essential oils to treat digestive issues? A healthy gut is essential for healthy skin, making nutmeg an excellent addition to our skin-friendly chai tea latte.

The Golden Touch – Raw Honey

This natural sweetener, often called “liquid gold,” does more than add a delightful sweetness to our chai tea latte. It’s a treasure trove of health benefits, especially for our skin. Raw honey’s benefits are expansive and impressive:

• Antimicrobial Properties: Raw honey is known for its antimicrobial properties, which can help keep your skin clear of blemishes by fighting off harmful bacteria. Think of it as a natural security guard for your skin, warding off unwanted invaders.
• Antioxidant-rich: Packed with antioxidants, raw honey protects your skin cells from damage caused by free radicals. It’s as if each spoonful provides a mini shield for your skin cells, helping them stay strong and healthy.
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Inflammation can be a primary culprit behind various skin issues, including acne. Honey’s anti-inflammatory effects can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness and inflammation.

Get The Most From Your Honey

Adding the raw honey at the right temperature is crucial to harnessing all these benefits. If the tea is too hot, it could diminish the honey’s nutritional value. The best way to do this is to stir in a spoonful of raw honey when the tea is warm but not too hot. This allows the honey to melt into the beverage, infusing it with its sweet flavour while maintaining all its beneficial properties.

Savouring a warm, homemade Chai Tea Latte is like a hug in a mug. But it’s not just about the delightful fusion of spices and warmth; it’s also a liquid goldmine of skin-loving benefits, thanks to those aromatic spices.

Vanilla Chai Tea Latte

A chai tea latte on a chilly day. The spices, the warmth—it's pure bliss. This dairy-free version's both delicious and great for your skin.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 serving

Author: Katie Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups plant milk of choice
• 1-2 bags chai tea (see notes)
• 1 tsp coconut manna (see notes)
• 1 tsp honey
• ¼ tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

• Warm your plant milk of choice in a saucepan over medium heat. Make sure not to let it boil; it should only be heated until hot to the touch.
• Next, add your tea bags to the hot milk and let them steep for around 10 minutes. This allows the tea flavor to permeate the milk.
• Remove the tea bags and add to a blender along with the coconut manna, honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Blend on high for 30 seconds to create a nice foam.
• Pour into a mug, sprinkle a little more cinnamon on top if you'd like, and enjoy.

Notes

• Tea: I recommend opting for a caffeine-free chai blend for acne sufferers. I used Yogi Tea's Organic Chai Rooibos (Caffeine Free) in this recipe. Toronto-based tea company, Lemon Lily, also has a great Immunity Chai.
• Coconut Manna: Also known as coconut butter, coconut manna is made by pureeing the flesh of mature coconuts. It has a rich and creamy texture to blended drinks. You can find it from online retailers, health food stores and the natural food section at grocery stores.