Today is a true Friday tea and chocolate. We have tea and we have chocolate and I’ve put them together in a Chocolate Chai – two of my favourite things. But first…
A few weeks ago I discovered there was such a thing as a “Dirty Chai”. Did you know this existed?
I didn’t. And this made me feel very old and not hip because I found out about it in a very cute hipster cafe in East Van, which is the hipster centre of Canada.
I already don’t feel hip because I don’t drink coffee. I’m that person who goes into a coffee shop and asks for a cup of tea and it becomes a process. It’s sorta ok when it’s a Starbucks. Tim Horton’s is a disaster. But now there’s this proliferation of “artisanal” coffee roaster cafes throughout Vancouver (but especially in the hipster quarters of the city) and I feel like such a weirdo going into one and asking for a tea.
Because even ordering a tea is… well… fancy.
Not English high tea fancy with pretty china cups and extended pinkies. Fancy as in tea with things like rosemary or spruce needles infused into it (or not… sometimes it’s just pine needles in your tea!) and it’s “prepared” for you by a barista and served in a glass carafe on a rustic wooden board. The glass carafe is too hot to touch but it all makes for good instagram photos. It’s also $4 for a cup of tea that’s the size of a thimble.
Sometimes, I just want a really good, big mug of tea. With milk and sugar. And no pine needles.
I’m turning into my mother.
Anyway, I digress. The point is, I’m too old to be a hipster. And a Dirty Chai is chai with a shot of espresso.
Somehow, this seems wrong to me. There is coffee. And there is tea. But there is no cottea. Or Teafee. You drink coffee because you want coffee. And you drink tea because you want tea. You don’t want them mixed together!
But, if you can mix them together… why can’t you mix tea with cocoa? This, to me, seems brilliant and I know I’m not the first person to think of it (not by a long shot). And it may seem completely at odds with thinking coffee and tea can’t be mixed together but.. it’s chocolate.
Now obviously, this isn’t going to work with any kind of tea. It works best with a hot, black tea, especially one flavoured with chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, etc. And of course for a proper chai, it must be sufficiently milky and sweet – this is comfort in a mug people (you cannot drink this in a teacup)
Chocolate Chai
- 1 chai teabag. I use Stash Double Spice Black Chai because it's the only teabag I've found that has a spice blend i like
- 1 tsp of sweetened cocoa mix or ½ teaspoon cocoa powder.
- milk to taste - I use vanilla soy milk for a hint of vanilla flavour
- sugar or honey to taste
- boiling water
- put the cocoa into your cup and add a few drops of milk - stir together until cocoa is smooth and then add the rest of your milk
- while water is boiling, warm milk in the microwave
- add boiling water and teabag and let steep for at least 5 minutes
- stir in any additional sweetener - remember that chai is usually very sweet and milky but do what suits your taste!
On another note – a tea related note – I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of the classic book The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura. I have heard so many lovely things about this little book that was first published in 1906 that explores the deep and subtle meanings of Japanese tea service as well as the connection between art, design and society.
While I was buying it in Chapters, the very young, hipster cashier asked me what it was about. I simply said “tea” and he shyly asked if I had ever experienced a Japanese tea service (he was of Asian descent but I didn’t ask his heritage). I said no but I was hoping to learn more about it from the book. His face lit up and he said he would have to get his own copy because the tea service and all it’s symbolism fascinated him. And we wound up having a nice little chat.
Maybe i’m not so unhip after all.
Gorgeous pictures Melissa! I love a good mug of tea, I can’t wait to try your recipe! 🙂
That chocolate chai sounds interesting. I like both tea and coffee, but for comfort I’d definitely prefer tea and to spoil myself when I feel tired I’d probably prefer coffee. I love the petals, here there aren’t any out yet but I am really looking forward to it.
Lovely post and photos Melissa – and I think we are all our own unique versions of hipsters, which is what makes it so fun anyways. Happy tea-drinking!
Interesting tea! Love your photography
I especially like your conclusion here, it had me smiling. I think I often feel that same way! I’m definitely going to try this out, I’m very intrigued by the whole idea. Plus it’s a good excuse to throw some cocoa in something other than just hot cocoa.
I have a feeling that your chocolate chai is going to taste so much better than the one I just bought from Teavana. It sounded nice, but I bought it in a set so I wasn’t able to taste or smell it before purchasing. Big mistake! Maybe I’ll try using it in your recipe and see if it becomes palatable.
Also, I’ll take a big mug of Red Rose or Tetley over anything with pine needles!!
This is interesting to add chocolate to tea, never thought of it, it really sounds good! I have to try it this weekend!
The combination of chai tea and chocolate is something I’ve never thought of but sounds so soothing and delicious right about now. If it wasn’t Good Friday I’d run out and buy some chai tea bags and whip up a cup each for me and my husband. I’ll be sure to stow away this recipe for later use!
You are a genius! I think I have some chai teabags somewhere that will be perfect for this.
A friend of mine gave me a copy of The Book of Tea not too long ago. It taught me so much about tea & the tea ceremony, as well as Taoist philosophy. It was a great read & I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it too.
I understand the need for a ‘proper’ cup of tea everyday! Love your photos and I have just ordered the Book of Tea as it looks like a really good read. If you are ever in Calgary, I’d like to invite you to join us for a traditional British Indian cup of Chai 😉
OK, am laughing my head off for two reasons – one, my dear husband is the same as you… always goes to coffee shops and asks for tea 🙂 The second, because my mom always used to throw in leftover morning coffee into afternoon tea, and we called it chaapi (chai + kaapi/ coffee). Man, Momma was a hipster even before there was hipsterdom lolol.
On the other hand, that chocolate chai does look pretty awesome, and I bet my mommy would LOVE it 🙂 She’s very hip like that.
Chocolate and chai sounds like a good combination to me … all those wonderful spices would complement the chocolate beautifully.
And, sometimes it’s hip to be just like your mother.