“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.” ~ William E. Gladstone
There are few things more cozy and comforting than a hot chai-spiced tea to warm the heart. Chai spices take the cake in the fall! (move on over, pumpkin pie spices). This magical, caffeine free elixir will calm and nurture your body. It's suited to the cold, dry season so you stay balanced and healthy. To try it once is to seal your fate with a long-term chai relationship.
Read all about the special ingredients in this rooibos-based tea.
Rooibos: A caffeine free tea from South Africa. My husband is from South Africa and rooibos is a staple in his tea repertoire. :) It’s a sweet, mild bush tea with notes of honey and vanilla. Just the most pleasant tea ever. Medicinally, it’s been used to treat upset stomach, reduce eczema, relieve skin allergies, and promote sleep. BUT - it’s also a great anti-inflammatory and boosts hair growth and healthy skin. Is rooibos your new favorite tea yet?
Reishi: The queen of the medicinal mushrooms. She is stress-relieving and calming, and supports good sleep. The triterpene compounds in reishi fruiting bodies support and balance the endocrine system. When the hormone system functions optimally your body can relax and recover during the night. Reishi is used as a “chill out” mushroom because it increases your quality and duration of deep sleep while helping you hit peak levels during waking hours. Other fun names for reishi are “mushroom of immortality” and “the spirit mushroom.”
Coriander: Called dhanya or dhanyaka in Ayurveda (which means “the rich one" ), coriander is the secret ingredient in this chai. It's an excellent spice for gastrointestinal discomfort and to strengthen the urinary tract (goodbye UTIs). Buy whole seeds, then toast and crush your own. If convenience is a factor, powdered is fine, just replace it often.
Rooibos Masala Chai
The Ingredients
Gather up your medicinal goodies. Let's get this tea a-brewin! ☕️
½ cup full-fat coconut milk (or your favorite milk
1½ cups brewed rooibos tea
½ teaspoon masala chai spice blend (I love Spicewalla, no affiliation)
¼ teaspoon coriander powder
½ teaspoon reishi or two droppers tincture ( my fave is Root & Bones, no affiliation)
Sweeten with a date or vanilla monkfruit extract
The Directions
Start by making your rooibos tea. Use two Freshpak brand tea (no affiliation) bags to 1½ cups just boiled water. Cover and steep. Strain directly into a small pot.
Add the milk and spices to the pot and heat on low, whisking frequently to prevent scalding. Gently simmer for about 15 minutes, until nice and steamy.
Strain directly into your high speed blender. Next add the reishi and sweetener of choice. Blend 30 seconds until frothy.
You may choose to strain the mixture into your favorite mug to clear out any grittier spices because their flavors are infused into your tea from the slow simmer. This is optional.
Either way, get your fall potion into your favorite mug, drop in a star anise and sprinkle with cinnamon. Now sip it in your favorite spot to chill out.
Drop a comment and share how much you loved this nourishing fall elixir! ❤️