Chai Spice Blend

Course: Breads, Breakfast, Desserts, Drinks, Miscellany

Cuisine: Indian, Middle Eastern

Keyword: chai, spice blend

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: 1 teaspoon servings

Calories: 12kcal

Author: Marta Rivera

Chai Spice Blend is a warming combination of floral, spicy, and earthy spices which are popular in Indian cuisine. Add this spice mixture to your drinks, baked goods, or even savory dishes for a boost of comfort and unique flavor.

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Equipment

1 pint glass jar with tight-fitting lid
small funnel
fine mesh sieve

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (13 grams) ground ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons (9 grams) ground cardamom
1 tablespoon (6 grams) ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons (5 grams) ground allspice
2 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons (3 grams) ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) black pepper

Instructions

Add the ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper to a 2-quart mixing bowl.
Use a small whisk or spoon to stir the spices together until well combined.
Sift the chai spice blend through a fine-mesh sieve before you jar it.

To Use:

Add 1/2-teaspoon of chai spice to your cup of tea or coffee.
You can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of this chai spice blend to any baked goods like cakes, muffins, or cheesecakes.
Store the chai spice blend for 6 months to a year in a glass or metal jar for 6 months to a year.

Notes

Swaps and Substitutions:

Replace the plain ground ginger with smoked ginger.
You can swap the plain cinnamon with Ceylon cinnamon, which has more of a floral, spicy flavor than plain cinnamon.
Swap the black pepper, cloves, and/or nutmeg with more of what you like.

Tips and Techniques:

To use whole spices:
1. Begin toasting them in a dry pan for 5 to 10 minutes or until they are fragrant.
2. Allow the spices to cool completely before using your coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to grind them to a powder.
The sifting step eliminates any clumps that might develop during mixing. It also blends the mixture, ensuring you get all the spices in each spoonful.
The more the spice mixture is exposed to air, the less flavorful the spices will be so keep it well sealed when not in use.
Spice blends make great gifts, just stick a pretty label on your jars, and don't forget to include an ingredient list (in case of allergies) and instructions of how to use it.

Storage Instructions:

To ensure the chai spice blend stays potent, store it in a cool, dark area of your kitchen or in the pantry away from heat, light, and moisture.
Avoid freezing or refrigerating the chai spice blend. The moisture that develops in the jar when it's pulled out and thawed will cause it to grow mold over time.

Nutrition