I have been a mocha drinker for over a decade, I liked a good dark chocolate sweet drink with coffee in it. Where possible, I would go to chocolate shop like KoKo Black, Lindt Chocolate, Max Brenner (Italian Thick), Ganache Chocolate or Mörk Chocolate Brew House to get a dark chocolate mocha.
Last year I have been introduced to Chai latte but it was from powder, tasted super sweet, way too sweet that puts me off.
During Xmas my Japanese mother-in-law introduced me to her special fresh Chai tea leaves and told me "to only order Chai latte from fresh leaves. You must first ask if their chai is from powder or from leaves, and better with soy milk."
Ah-hah! Secret revealed.
My first real chai latte was first Fly High Chai from Seven Seeds in Melbourne CBD, then Chai Boy latte from The Crus & Co in St Kilda and unknown brand from Qi Crystal shop.
Oh boy...
Having fresh chai tea in a summer garden reading oracle cards in a crystal shop?
I joined a 30 days healthy living detox program in March 2019, had to quit sugar and coffee, so I thought I might as well replaced my mocha with home made chai latte (in almond or oak milk, as soy and dairy is to be eliminated during the body restoring process).
I have been on hunt to find fresh local Melbourne made Chai receipt that are easy to make, healthy and yummy.
After the detox program, I fell in love with fresh Chai latte so much now now I keep buying Fly High Chai and Prana Chai.
Here's videos of how I made them at home:
Fly High Chai - Concentrate
Melbourne Made. Fly High Chai is liquid concentrate which you can add directly to warm milk. Used in Seven Seeds cafes, the killer touch to this warming, balanced Chai is freshly grinding the spices just for brewing.
I like how easy this concentrate is, no mess, less washing up.
Great for when I just wanna quickly make one to keepcup and bring to work in the morning.
1. Just pour a bit of the liquid to the cup (I tend to pour more than recommendation)
2. Heat up soy milk in my Nespresso milk frother
3. Pour hot milk into the cup, stir
$16/bottle from Brother Baba Budan
Prana Chai - Starter kit unboxing
Prana Chai continue to tinker away with their sticky chai recipes, developing a Vegan Chai Blend (sans honey), a healthy, tasty Turmeric Chai Blend, and a wonderfully refreshing Peppermint Chai Blend.
If I'm not in a hurry, I enjoyed cooking Prana Chai and mixed with my own extra spiced of turmeric, ginger, sage, fennel, mint, cinnamon and nutmeg powder to give extra flavor.
I would slow heat on stove for over 6 mins, sit for another minute or two then stir in honey before serve, gotta make sure all the goodies are soaked in with the milk.
Because it's taking me much longer to make Prana Chai at home, I enjoyed it better, like a treat.
I would paused everything that I was doing, sit down and sipping it while giving myself gratitude, thanks the universe for giving me such a good life, I am able to work from home and enjoy a warm drink usually I'll be petting my cats too, my chai meditation for me.
Started kit was $49 from online (Including shipping)
250g is $20 from South Melbourne Market
In terms of taste, texture and flavour once it's blended with soy milk, I found both Fly High Chai and Prana Chai have their unique essence of spiced, I love them both.
So if I'm in a hurry, I would make Fly High Chai latte.
If I'm in for a self care time, I would make a Prana Chai, which is almost everyday haha
I love myself.
Recently I tried Chamellia Chai at Stoker Pancake, yummm... May look into getting a pack to try make at home next.
I love how Melbourne people love making their own organic tea & coffee and sell to the public, so we have more choices for the best quality, healthiest options.
In terms of taste, texture and flavour once it's blended with soy milk, I found both Fly High Chai and Prana Chai have their unique essence of spiced, I love them both.
So if I'm in a hurry, I would make Fly High Chai latte.
If I'm in for a self care time, I would make a Prana Chai, which is almost everyday haha
I love myself.
Recently I tried Chamellia Chai at Stoker Pancake, yummm... May look into getting a pack to try make at home next.
I love how Melbourne people love making their own organic tea & coffee and sell to the public, so we have more choices for the best quality, healthiest options.
