What is a Dirty Chai Latte?
A classic chai latte is made by combining steamed milk with a mix of spices, including black pepper, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. To make a dirty chai, you need just one more important ingredient: a shot of your favourite Espresso.
How you create your chai mix is up to you; while some prefer to grind their own spice mix, the easy way is to purchase chai powder readymade. Often pre-made mixed come with added sweeteners to balance the intensity of the spice mix, which can add an indulgent flavour to the end result.
Where did the Dirty Chai Latte originate?
It is rumoured that the Dirty Chai Latte originated in England in the 1990s when a barista accidentally added a shot of Espresso to a customer’s chai latte. If it’s true, the tasty combination made quite the impression, as today it can be found on café menus across Australia.
Are there any tips to consider when making a Dirty Chai Latte?
When mixing powders like chai into your coffee, we recommend extracting your espresso shot first and mixing the powder the minute it is added to avoid clumping.
What is the best coffee to pair with Dirty Chai?
While most black Espressos will pair nicely with chai powder, we recommend using a chocolate flavoured capsule such as our Rich Chocolate for Vertuo or Cioccolatino for Original for a sweet and indulgent flavour.
