Quick answer: To make a caffeine-free chai-style tea, simmer sliced fresh ginger, a cinnamon stick, cloves and a few cardamom pods in water for 10 minutes. Take it off the heat, add 2 Caribbean bay leaf tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the bags, add warm milk and sweeten with honey or sugar.
What is chai?
In India, chai simply means tea. The spiced, milky drink most people mean by “chai” is masala chai: black tea simmered with spices, milk and sugar. Because it uses black tea, traditional chai contains caffeine. This recipe keeps the spices and the milk, but swaps the black tea for Caribbean bay leaf, which is naturally caffeine-free and has its own warm, clove-like flavour.
Ingredients (2 mugs)
- 300ml water
- 300ml milk or a plant drink (oat works well)
- 2 Caribbean Bay Leaf tea bags
- A 3cm piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed (optional)
- A pinch of grated nutmeg
- Honey or sugar to taste
Method
- Put the water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom in a small pan.
- Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat, add the bay leaf tea bags and leave for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags, add the milk and warm it through without boiling.
- Strain into mugs, sweeten to taste and finish with a pinch of nutmeg.
Why Caribbean bay leaf works
West Indian bay is related to allspice and has a warm, spicy, clove-like aroma, so it sits naturally alongside chai spices. In the Caribbean, bay leaf is already used to flavour cocoa tea and porridge. Read what bush tea means in the Caribbean.
Variations
| Version | Change |
|---|---|
| Golden spiced tea | Add a turmeric tea bag with the bay leaf |
| Coconut spiced tea | Use coconut milk for a richer, Caribbean-style drink |
| Iced spiced tea | Make it without milk, cool it, then pour over ice and top with cold milk |
| Extra ginger | Grate the ginger instead of slicing it |
Make a spice mix
Mix 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cloves and 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom in a jar. Add half a teaspoon to the pan instead of whole spices when you’re short of time.
Serving ideas
Serve it in warm mugs with a cinnamon stick to stir, alongside ginger biscuits, sweet bread or a slice of fruit cake. For a party, make a large pan and keep it warm on a low heat, without letting it boil once the milk is in.
Chai spices explained
| Spice | Adds |
|---|---|
| Ginger | Heat and brightness |
| Cinnamon | Sweetness and warmth |
| Cloves | Deep, aromatic spice |
| Cardamom | Floral, citrusy notes |
| Nutmeg | Soft, nutty warmth |
| Caribbean bay leaf | Clove and allspice-like aroma |
Tips for the best spiced tea
- Crush the cardamom pods lightly so they release their flavour.
- Don’t let the milk boil, or it can form a skin.
- Taste before sweetening: bay leaf and cinnamon already add warmth.
- Use whole spices where you can; they give a clearer cup than ground spices.
Store whole spices in sealed jars away from heat and light.
Frequently asked questions
Is chai tea caffeine-free?
Traditional chai isn’t, because it uses black tea. This version uses Caribbean bay leaf, so it’s caffeine-free.
Can I make it with a plant drink?
Yes. Oat and coconut both work well. Warm them gently so they don’t split.
Can I make it ahead?
Make the spiced tea without milk, keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day, then reheat and add milk.
Shop the teas in this article
- Caribbean Bay Leaf Teabags – £8
- Turmeric tea bags – £8
- Gift Pack – £14.80