Noncoffee content: How do I make a chai latte?

[DigMe]

Sorry for the non-coffee content but I figure one of you can inform me on this. My wife bought some Chai concentrate from a coffee shop that was going out of business and now demands that I make her a "chai latte".

I think that I just put the concentrate in some milk and then steam it but do i steam it into normal microfoam or thinner or what?

brad

[Kaffee Bitte]

How much milk to concentrate will depend on the mix, so just read the label as to the recommended amounts. Then adjust to taste. As far as fowm goes, you will probably find it difficult to make anything resembling micro foam with a chai mix. It will definitely create foam, but it just won't be as nice as microfoam. You will end up with some big bubbles.

Oh and another thing to mention is that most of these mixes get up to the 160 F point much faster than milk. Do not be surprised if they are done steaming in considerably less time.

[DigMe]

How much milk to concentrate will depend on the mix, so just read the label as to the recommended amounts. Then adjust to taste. As far as fowm goes, you will probably find it difficult to make anything resembling micro foam with a chai mix. It will definitely create foam, but it just won't be as nice as microfoam. You will end up with some big bubbles.

Oh and another thing to mention is that most of these mixes get up to the 160 F point much faster than milk. Do not be surprised if they are done steaming in considerably less time.

It's a liquid concentrate that you pump into milk (were talking about liquid or powders?). Will probably steam pretty similarly I'm guessing but maybe not. The lady at the shop told her 5 squirts per 16oz. I was just wondering if the end-goal is to have a similar consistency to my usual microfoam.

brad

[Kaffee Bitte]

I have never actually made any chais but liquids. I have never enjoyed the powered versions when I have tried them, so I just avoid them like the plague.

From your description of the quantity of concentrate, it sounds like you will easily be able to make microfoam with it, should you desire. Most of the liquid chai mixes that I have used were no where near as concentrated, so the faster to temp thing shouldn't really apply for your concentrate.

Another thing to note on chai's is that you will want to be very good about cleaning the steam wand. For some reason (possibly extra sugars?) they like to stick and bake on to the wand. Clean it Immediately upon turning off the steam and you stand a better chance of getting it clean.

[Ernie]

What I like best is to first put the concentrate into the glass or cup and then add the normally microfoamed milk, just as if the concentrate was the espresso of a cappuccino. The liquid concentrate will mix fine with the milk and you won't have any problems cleaning the steam wand.

[skyryders90]

What I like best is to first put the concentrate into the glass or cup and then add the normally microfoamed milk, just as if the concentrate was the espresso of a cappuccino. The liquid concentrate will mix fine with the milk and you won't have any problems cleaning the steam wand.

This is how I've done it in the past, too. Works fine. This was with the Tazo chai mix.