How is the chai latte in Starbucks made?

Question

I can brew my own chai latte (without the foam machine). It smells great with different types of spice. However, it just doesn't seems to reach the taste of the chai latte from Starbucks. The chai latte from Starbucks has a sweet taste like fruit. I wonder if they add other ingredients.
Here are the ingredients I use: cardamom, clove, ginger, cinnamon, low-fat milk, and tea.

Ray · Accepted Answer

The chai tea latte at Starbucks is made from the Tazo Chai Tea Latte concentrate. This product is available at supermarkets and online, and is mixed with milk to make a product not unlike what you have at Starbucks (minus the foam, as you pointed out).

So, what are these flavors (say, if you wanted to make this from scratch)? The website mentions that the black tea is malty. You could likely reproduce that with a maltier tea like Assam, though the box also says a "a rich blend of flavorful teas", meaning that a stronger blend like English Breakfast might be a closer match. It looks like you are on the right track with the spices as well: cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves are all listed, though the website mentions black pepper, star anise, and vanilla in addition, which ought to lift your cup of chai a bit as well.

renee · Answer

The concentrate that Starbucks sells is not what they use in their stores. The in-store chais are secret-recipe full concentrate and taste better than the concentrate that they sell. We are not supposed to know that the secret concentrate exists; but it does and I have seen it.

Answered by renee on May 10, 2021

Stevew · Answer

Well, I cracked it and tasted better than Costa or Starbucks.

I used hot milk with seasonings and a Twinnings chai teabag steeped in hot water.

Microwave 3/4 cup milk one minute.  Add cardamom seeds, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, a teaspoon of honey, ginger, a teaspoon of vanilla (Monza), and anise seed to the milk.
Whisk with a battery whisker (available off eBay £3.00) until frothy.

Pour 1/4 cup of hot chai tea into glass. Add frothy milk & stir. Add cinnamon dusting.

Voilà.

Kimberr · Answer

There is no secret as to how Starbucks make their tea... the Tea they sell as the Concentrate is exactly the same they use. Many friends have worked at Starbucks & another friend was a manager!!

Andrew Day · Answer

The closest I have gotten to a StarBucks Chai Tea latte is using "Oregon Chai - SPICED" with either Almond Mile or Regular Milk. And, I think I pretty darn good one. Incidentally, it is far less expensive to make it this way versus going to SB and paying 4-6 bucks for 1.

https://www.oregonchai.com/

How is the chai latte in Starbucks made?

5 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question