The barista needs help.. K-cups for Chai Latte?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Trying to find a gift for the girlfriend addicted to Starbucks' Chai Latte.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive Kourig-type device or know of any good discounts? And are any of the Chai Latte K-cups better than others? And will it taste close enough, or will it be missing some crucial component like steamed milk?

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

The only kind of chai I really like is the Tazo Organic Chai in tea bags, which is what Starbucks uses. They also use the Tazo Organic Chai liquid concentrate for the cold drinks.

Amazon sells the tea bags very reasonably. They also sell the concentrate.

DH is a tea drinker and he says the tea from my Keurig is disgusting--it tastes overbrewed. And he's not picky! So I'm not sure this is the place to get high-tech. I think you just need the tea bags to re-create the Starbucks experience.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Also, I think the trick with the latte is that they steam the milk. You can get a very similar effect by microwaving it for about 10 seconds.

Is there sweetener in the chai latte?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Also, I think the trick with the latte is that they steam the milk. You can get a very similar effect by microwaving it for about 10 seconds.

Is there sweetener in the chai latte?

The one from Starbucks must be sweet, or she wouldn't drink it. I'm liking the teabag idea. Except for the fact that I'll have to come up with another gift instead

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

I went over and looked--Amazon has chai latte concentrate in boxes. It's sweetened. You can get it by the crate!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I went over and looked--Amazon has chai latte concentrate in boxes. It's sweetened. You can get it by the crate!

but I thought that's for the cold drinks? We can just add sugar to the tea, no? I figured I'd just buy a box of teabags at Whole Foods as a stocking stuffer...

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

but I thought that's for the cold drinks? We can just add sugar to the tea, no? I figured I'd just buy a box of teabags at Whole Foods as a stocking stuffer...

Yes, do that. You can buy it at Starbucks and other places, too. The teabags are really good and you can make it just the way you like.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

All the Starbucks in my area all use the Tazo Chai Tea concentrate. We buy at Kroger's locally for about $3.95 a box. Steamed milk is the key to an authentic chai latte. Ummmm. My favorite.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

All the Starbucks in my area all use the Tazo Chai Tea concentrate. We buy at Kroger's locally for about $3.95 a box. Steamed milk is the key to an authentic chai latte. Ummmm. My favorite.

Yep, that's where I break down. I'm afraid that warming it in the microwave won't be the same. I have a cappuccino maker that steams milk, but I hate using it because it's such a pain to clean, etc...

But I will get both the concentrate and the tea bags, she can try them both. Me, I like my coffee

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

When it comes to hot chai, I really love this stuff. And it couldn't be easier (mix with hot water).



Tastefully Simple - Oh My! Chai Drink Mix - 348108

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Ok, now I'm confused. Is the Chai Latte at Starbucks milk-based? Or is it water based with steamed milk on top?

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

Keurig makes a filter that you can use to make your own K-cup. If you can find some loose chai tea of good quality, that would taste better than the pre-packed teas.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Ok, now I'm confused. Is the Chai Latte at Starbucks milk-based? Or is it water based with steamed milk on top?

Starbucks makes it with steamed milk all the way. The Tazo concentrate with milk does well heated up in the microwave. You can hand whip it if you want froth.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Ok, now I'm confused. Is the Chai Latte at Starbucks milk-based? Or is it water based with steamed milk on top?

To further confuse you.... it depends where the Starbucks is located! My understanding is that in the US it is totally milk-based, in Western Canada it is about a third water, unless you remember to ask for it otherwise.

I am totally addicted and must confess that microwaved wouldn't cut it. Just not the same.
Also, the syrup concentrate is very sweet and apparently different from the one sold at retail.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

To further confuse you.... it depends where the Starbucks is located! My understanding is that in the US it is totally milk-based, in Western Canada it is about a third water, unless you remember to ask for it otherwise.

I am totally addicted and must confess that microwaved wouldn't cut it. Just not the same.
Also, the syrup concentrate is very sweet and apparently different from the one sold at retail.

For me, adding one Splenda makes the home version really close to the Starbuck's store version.