Buttered Chai

It’s funny how traditional activities and concepts are making a comeback.

Making bone broth, oil pulling, taking fermented cod liver oil, and putting butter in tea are not new concepts. While these things have made headlines in recent years, the fact is that these ideas have been around for thousands of years.

Before there was bulletproof® coffee, there was buttered tea. Tibetans have been drinking this hot beverage since at least the 15th century. The concept of drinking tea began in China in the fourth century. According to food historian Lizzie Collingham, in her book Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors, she says tea-drinking eventually spread into Tibet and the Himalayan regions of India “where tea was drunk as a kind of soup mixed with butter.”

The ritual of drinking tea arrived in India much later, the concept introduced by the British under while India was under their rule. While everyone knows of chai as milky spiced tea, the concept of making chai with ghee isn’t totally out there. Growing up, my mom and her family members drank buttered chai in India.

I still love my traditional cup of Masala Chai, but I think buttered chai is an experience to try. If you’ve never experienced the creamy, rich flavor of buttered chai, you’re missing out. A cup of this creamy, frothy buttered drink will make you forget about your troubles, at least for a few minutes.

So why not give buttered tea a try? You can use butter, ghee, or coconut oil.

I’m curious to hear what you think!

I wake up pretty early to get to work and the fact is, I’m not typically hungry when I wake up. While I might not be in the mood for breakfast, I am always in the mood for coffee or tea. Using butter as a creamer helps keep me full and by mid-morning, I’m ready for a hard-boiled egg or two. I don’t like skipping breakfast altogether, but I’m okay with delaying it a bit. Besides, eating a late lunch helps the work day go by quickly. Eating healthy fats in the morning helps me manage my cravings. I’ve also noticed more energy in the mornings.

Do you put butter in your tea or coffee? Would you?

Buttered Chai

Buttered Chai

4.73 from 22 reviews

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Ingredients

 

• ▢ 2 cups of black tea 4 black tea bags and 2 cups of hot water
• ▢ 2 tablespoons ghee or coffee++
• ▢ Sweetener of choice to taste (I use 2 tablespoons coconut sugar)
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground fennel seed
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Strain the drink if desired, then serve.

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PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored conversation by Pure Indian Foods, however all opinions are my own. I only support companies that I truly believe in and whose products I use myself. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.