Chai spiced tea blends cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom to produce a subtle and delightful flavour. Our chai tea smoothie fuses the gentle quality of the traditional tea with the richness of a smoothie. Maca and hemp hearts lend added nutritional benefits without compromising flavour. Maca is a good source of Vitamins B, C and E, while hemp hearts provide magnesium, as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Ingredients

½ cup cooled homemade chai tea (See recipe below)

½ cup unsweetened soy or almond milk

1 frozen banana, peeled and cut into chunks

½ tbsp hemp hearts

½ tbsp maca

1 date, pitted and sliced

Powdered nutmeg to serve (optional)

Directions

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Dust with nutmeg if desired.

Homemade Chai Tea

Ingredients

1 cinnamon stick

1 1-inch piece of ginger

6 cardamom pods

½ nutmeg seed, grated to fine powder

1 tsp black peppercorns

6 cups of water

2 black tea bags

2 cups of unsweetened soy or almond milk, warmed (for traditional chai tea)

Directions

Crush the cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle. Keep seeds and discard empty pods (they should separate quite easily with slight pressure from the pestle). Add cardamom seeds to a large pot, along with cinnamon stick, ginger, nutmeg, black peppercorns, and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and add tea bags. Allow to steep for an additional 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and discard. Strain tea to remove spices.

For the smoothie, allow the chai tea to cool, and then use required amount.

For traditional tea, add warmed milk and serve immediately.