Warming Coconut Chai Tea

Name: Warming Coconut Chai Tea
Yield: Makes 4 cups
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: ½ vanilla pod (bean); pinch of chilli flakes (red pepper flakes) or 1 dried chilli; 500 ml (17 fl oz / 2 cups) water; 500 ml (17 fl oz / 2 cups) coconut milk (preferably Tetra Pak, which is consistently creamy and doesn’t separate); 1 rooibos tea bag; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon coconut oil; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 cardamom pods; 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger, grated; 2 whole black peppercorns

Preparation info

Makes
4 cups

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Happy Vegan Food

By Bettina Campolucci Bordi

Published 2022

About

This tea emphasises comfort and warmth. Growing up in Tanzania, right next door to Zanzibar, this chai tea recipe reminds me of home. It can be made into a bigger batch and enjoyed throughout the day. This recipe is a staple at home.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick

Africa
Tanzania
Gluten-free
Vegan
Drinks

Method

Start by heating the coconut oil in a medium saucepan, then add all the spices including the ginger, chilli and vanilla pod and gently heat for 5 minutes. Squash the cardamon pods first so that the seeds come out and you get their full flavour.

Add the water and rooibos tea bag, bring to the boil and boil for about 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, turn it down to a simmer and add t