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Chai Tea - Is it Good for You?
The health benefits of chai tea are highly advertised but certainly debateable. As to whether is it better than black tea, green tea or coffee will depend on how you drink each one and how often.
Chai tea is made up of a base of black tea, with a number of added spices including pepper, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Traditionally, it is blended with milk and honey to make a creamy texture. The proportion of milk used will vary, with some chai teas being more tea than milk.
As chai tea contains black tea, then it too contains the antioxidant benefit of consuming black tea. Antioxidants are widely publicised for their beneficial effects in the body, including protection against heart disease and certain cancers.
There is little scientific evidence regarding the benefits of spices, but there are many people who believe certain spices can have certain beneficial effects. For example, ginger is said to help prevent cold and flu like symptoms, ease a sore throat and help ease stomach pain. Cloves are said to promote circulation, pepper help with digestion and cardamom helps calm and relax.
So it looks as though chai tea may be a wise option for those reaching for a hot drink? Think twice before you make one, or order one at the local cafe though. Traditionally made chai will contain a good proportion of tea and spices, with little or no sugar added. This is a good choice, but give the added honey and full cream milk a miss. Skim milk would be a healthy alternative. However, store bought sachets and cafe made chai teas are more likely aiming to please your tastebuds and not your sore throat. They often contain only a small amount of spices and a large amount of added sugars.
Let’s take a look at just what is being served up when you make or order a chai tea.
Type Calories Kjs Fat(g) Sat Fat(g) CHO (Sugar)(g)
Cafe Bought Chai Latte teabag Skim Milk
73 305 0.2 0.2 10.1
Cafe Bought Chai Latte Powder/liquid skim Milk
195 815 3.7 3 28.5
Cafe Bought Chai Latte Full Cream Milk
128 540 7 4.3 10.1
Homemade Chai Latte Sachet no Milk
110 460 3.5 2.8 16.5
Homemade Chai Latte Sachet with 250ml Skim Milk
195 815 3.7 3 28.5
Homemade Chai Latte Sachet 250ml Full Cream Milk
273 1130 9.5 8.3 28.8
Homemade Chai Latte Light Sachet No Milk
100 420 3 2.3 12.5
Homemade Chai Latte Light Sachet 250ml Skim Milk
185 775 3.25 2.55 24.5
Homemade Chai Latte Light Sachet 250ml Full Cream Milk
263 1100 9 7.8 25
Homemade Chai Tea Bag No Milk
2 10 0.1 0.1 0.1
Homemade Chai Tea Bag 30ml Skim Milk
15 60 0.2 0.2 1.5
Homemade Chai Tea Bag 30ml Full Cream Milk
20 90 1.3 0.9 1.5
So how do these figures measure up? Three things are very obvious; the chai latte contains more kilojoules, fat and sugar than the simple chai tea bag, especially when full cream milk is used. If you are looking for a chai latte but want to decrease kilojoules and fat, then choosing a skim milk chai latte is the better option. However, there is still quite a lot of sugar, especially compared to a regular chai tea bag. (What is surprising is that although it too contains quite a lot of sugar, a cafe bought chai latte contains half the amount of sugar compared to a homemade chai latte sachet! Even the light homemade chai latte sachets still contain more sugar than a cafe bought version).
So what are our tips for ordering or making a chai latte? The good old tea bag is always the best option. Add skim milk and skip the sugar, the spices make it sweet enough. Don’t be tempted to buy chai latte sachets for home, save your lattes for a treat when you are out. If you really want to use the sachets, make them as directed, without milk, or use skim milk if you use any at all to reduce the fat and kilojoules content. Try half milk half hot water if you like it a little creamier. If you buy cafe bought chai tea regularly, skip the latte and order the chai tea bag, but if you really want the creaminess, order a skim milk chai latte and save yourself a great deal of kilojoules and fat.
On a final note, is there any better option when you’re looking for a hot drink? Yes! One of the best options when ordering a coffee is a long black with some warmed skim milk. It contains only 130kj, no fat and 4g of sugar. A skinny cappuccino is also a better option. It contains approximately 300kj and 1.5g of fat. The sugar content is similar, but you are still saving on the kilojoules and fat. If its tea you are after, any brewed tea or teabag is great. Ask for skim milk if you like milky tea, and don’t add sugar. Choose teas with full flavour so you are not tempted to add any sugar.
Added to site on : Monday, 19 March 2012