Best teacher gift ever: Homemade chai concentrate

Who doesn't love chai? NOONE. That's who.

Chai is the humble-but-sublime mixture of strong black tea, milk, sugar and spices. You may have already drunk something approximating chai at your local coffeehouse, but, let me assure you, freshly-made chai is so much better. And don't even get me started on the abomination that is the "chai tea latte." But I digress.

While this recipe isn't exactly authentic, the results are so delicious and the preparation is so quick, it's worth it. Just stir a teaspoon of this lovely mixture into a cup of freshly-brewed black tea and you'll be in heaven. And so will any teacher (or babysitter, or friend) lucky enough to get this as a holiday gift.

Your kids can even make this themselves! Killer spoon-licking.

Grab the ingredients this week while baking supplies are on sale for Thanksgiving. Spices are cheapest when purchased in bulk.

HOMEMADE CHAI CONCENTRATE
(adapted from a recipe I read in The Oregonian)

1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 t. ground cardammom
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cloves
(if you like it really sweet, add up to 1 t. sugar)

Mix everything and store in the refrigerator. Pour into a pretty jar for giving -- a small, glass mason jar with a plastic storage cap works perfectly. The mixture will keep, refrigerated, for six months.

To make a cup of chai, brew a cup of strong, black tea (Assam, English Breakfast, or whatever black teabag you've got). Stir in a teaspoon or so of chai concentrate (more to taste). Enjoy.

More: How to organize a holiday gift for your kid's teacher

Comments

[Erika]

I like the idea and was just wondering, how do you make a cup of tea using the concentrate?

[Shannon]

How long does it last in the fridge? Sounds delicious! What a great idea.

[Boston Mamas]

Oh. Yum!!!!! Can't wait to try.

[Asha Dornfest]

You and Shannon both have good questions! Will update the post and answer there for all.

[ExpatMom]

Sounds great and while Chai isn't a hit in Germany (yet), I will definitely make this for myself!

(Asha, I owe you a review of that children's work book "When you grumble too much". I haven't forgotten but life's crazy right now. Is it okay sometime, um, before Christmas?)

[Asha Dornfest]

No rush, in fact if you're pressed for time, that's fine, too. I'm glad you mentioned it, because I wanted to thank you -- I went out and bought the entire series for my own kids! I'll be able to write my own review soon enough. They are amazing books.

[Heidi]

I just clicked on the link to The Oregonian and it says it can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 mos. HTH

[Deena]

I was just looking for a recipe like this so that I could adjust the amounts of spices. And I love having a quick, easy concentrate for hectic mornings! Thanks!

[Carolyn]

I love this idea, but won't it go bad over the course of the school day? Wouldn't one have to instruct the teacher to refrigerate immediately (which seems a bit much to ask on busy school morning)?

Even if I delivered later in the day, it could still wind up sitting unrefrigerated for a couple of hours in a teacher's bag.

How are people dealing with this? I'm thinking of giving it as a kit.

[Christine]

I am one of those few people who do not like Chai. I just wanted to put that two cents in. Check with your teachers first to see if they like it, before you give it to them.

[GS]

Hah, if I had to check with every teacher about what they did or didn't like (and when I taught, if every parent was running ideas by me) nothing on the planet would get done in a timely fashion. If they don't like it, a well-mannered teacher will smile, thank the kiddo, and pass it on to someone who does. Just like I did with the 8 million teacher-themed mugs, appley notepads, scented lotions (I'm allergic to those), cookies from dubious sources, etc.

I made this yesterday after reading about it, and it's delicious. I don't know if I'll make it as a gift, but we're enjoying it in my house! Thank you for the recipe!

[Milika]

Can this concentrate be used in coffee beverages as well (i.e. a mocha chai)? I have an espresso machine and love chai flavored coffees, but don't want to buy a concentrate full of artificial flavorings.

[Valentina@baby quilts]

What a great idea - love chai, spend tons of money on buying it and panic when there is none left in the cupboard. Sorry, can't write any longer - have to go and try it out :D