Instructions निर्देश

“CHAI 101”
(Also see video & FAQ below)

Two cups of coffee with a heart on them next to cookies.

SERVE HOT गर्म परोसेंगे

A black and white microwave with the word " good " written in front of it.

Good

Microwave: Mix ½ cup of CharlieJoe Chai concentrate with ½ cup of rich and creamy milk in a microwave-safe mug.* We recommend unsweetened oat milk. Heat on high for 60–90 seconds. We call this method "Chai on the fly."

*In India, water buffalo milk is traditionally used in masala chai because a more rich milk contrasts best with the sharp flavors of the spices. Try Oatly Full-Fat Oat milk, or Grass-fed Organic Whole Milk to mimic this.

>ProMove: Add a splash of Half-n-Half.

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Better

Steam: If you have a cappuccino machine with frothing wand, or an electric frother that heats, try steaming/frothing ½ cup CJC concentrate together with ½ cup of your favorite rich and creamy milk*, creating a delicious chai latte. Your target temperature is 130-150°F. Depending on the machine, it should take 2 minutes. 🇮🇹 Make it a Godfather (Dirty Chai):

Add a freshly made 1oz. A Single shot of espresso. #fugetaboutit

A black and white picture of a pan with the word " best ".

Best

Stovetop: (See video below) This is how they make chai on the street corners in India – and when you try, you will see why! Warm up ½ cup of CJC concentrate in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 90 seconds. Then, as it begins to steam, add ½ cup of your favorite rich and creamy milk* and bring to a rising boil two times (this process is also called the "decoction" method). This causes the milk to caramelize and bond with the spices. Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. HEAT CONCENTRATE: In a small saucepan/pot (preferably spouted), warm up ½ cup CJC concentrate by itself over medium heat for about 90 seconds until concentrate begins to steam (do NOT boil). Give the warming concentrate a few swirls/stirs with a whisk.

2. ADD MILK: Pour ½ cup of your favorite rich and creamy milk* into the pot with the concentrate. >ProMove: Add a splash of Half-n-half to the mix, which gives chai an even smoother texture. If using plant-based milk, sometimes the heat can cause separation – the half-n-half helps hold everything together and support the bold spices.

3. TINY BUBBLES: In about 90 seconds, micro-bubbles will appear around the perimeter of the chai. That's your cue to give the mixture a few more swirls/stirs so that the heat from the pot's walls can be distributed throughout.

4. FIRST BOIL: In about 90 seconds, the chai will begin boiling and rising. Remove from heat and stir for about 5 seconds. >ProMove: Let the boiling chai increase almost to overflow before reducing heat and stirring. (No worries if you spill, you will master this in time!)

5. SECOND BOIL: Return to medium heat; in about 60 seconds, the chai will begin boiling and rising again. You're almost there! Now, remove from heat and give the chai a final stir.

6. POUR & SERVE: Pour chai into small glasses or mugs and enjoy!

>ProMove: Before serving, the chaiwallahs of India aerate the chai by pouring back and forth between two vessels for about 30 seconds. This process cools down the chai and gives it a smoother, silkier texture and creating a foamy head! This is also known as “pulling” the chai. 

7. COOKIES: Traditionally, chai is served with simple little tea biscuits/cookies (especially good with shortbread). So good!

*Rich and creamy milk works best to handle the strength of spices. Try: Oatly Full-Fat Oat milk, Chobani Extra Creamy, or Grass-fed Organic Whole Milk

>ProMove: Add a splash of Half-n-Half.

SERVE COLD ठंडा परोसेंगे

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Chilled

Fill your glass with ½ cup of CharlieJoe Chai concentrate and top with ½ cup of your favorite full-bodied milk*. You're good to go! We call this method "Jenny-style."

A cup of coffee with a heart on it.

Iced

Fill your glass with a handful of ice cubes, top with ½ cup CharlieJoe Chai concentrate and ½ cup of your favorite full-bodied milk.* >ProMove: Pour iced chai between two glasses to thoroughly mix, then serve with a straw. A cocktail shaker works great, too. Also, try adding a splash of half-n-half.

A blended coffee with whipped cream and a heart.

Blended

Blended CharlieJoe Chai Recipe

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup CharlieJoe Chai concentrate

  • ½ cup of your favorite rich and creamy milk (we like Oatly Full-Fat Oat milk)

  • One teaspoon vanilla powder (or one tablespoon vanilla extract)

  • ⅛ teaspoon Xanthan Gum (prevents drink from separating)

  • One pinch of kosher salt

  • >ProMove: Add a splash of half-n-half or coconut crème

  • One heaping cup of ice (10 ice cubes)

Directions:

1. In the order listed above, add ingredients to your high-powered blender.

2. Blend at the highest speed for 30 seconds.

3. Serve in a tall glass with a smoothie straw. >ProMove: Top it off with some whipped crème, and BAM! You just made yourself a "Frappu-CHAI-no! "

🇮🇹 Make it a Godfather: Before blending, add a 1oz. A single shot of espresso. #perfetto

How are you, CharlieJoe? We'd love to hear about your chai creations and puns!
Tag us on social media for special giveaways and swag. #charliejoechai

*Rich and creamy milk works best to handle the strength of spices.
Try: Oatly Full-Fat Oat milk, Chobani Extra Creamy, or Grass-fed Organic Whole Milk

>ProMove: Add a splash of Half-n-Half.

Make Your #CJC

FAQ:

Is There Caffeine in CJC?

- Yes, our chai contains about 40-50 milligrams of caffeine per cup (8 oz. concentrate / 16 oz. chai latte), which is similar to traditional black tea.
- The caffeine found in tea interacts with the body differently than coffee.
- Instead of primarily targeting the central nervous system, tea caffeine affects the muscular system.
- Additionally, tea caffeine is released slowly, resulting in a more gradual decrease in its effects. ☕️ 

What Milk Pairs Best with Chai?

- The choice of milk is really up to your personal preference, so feel free to use whatever your taste buds prefer.
- When we first launched CharlieJoe Chai in our kitchen under Colorado cottage laws, we had to serve our chai with non-dairy milk. After testing a variety of milk substitutes, oat milk emerged as the ideal choice. Its neutral flavor provides the perfect canvas for our blend of exhilarating spices to truly shine. Among all the oat milks we sampled, Oatly Full Fat (or Barista Blend) impressed us the most with its rich and creamy texture, beautifully complementing our chai.
- Fun fact: In India, chai is often served with water buffalo milk, which is even richer than whole milk, thanks to its higher fat and protein content! This luscious milk is also famously used by Italians to craft Buffalo Mozzarella. It's a truly versatile and delicious ingredient! 🥛

Do You Have to Pair CJC with Milk?

While many enjoy CharlieJoe Chai with milk, it’s certainly not the only option. Over the years, we've experimented with our chai concentrate and discovered that it pairs wonderfully with soda water, creating an amazing chai soda. This refreshing combination works especially well with Topo Chico and a squeeze of orange for an extra burst of flavor. Give it a try and explore the delightful versatility of our chai! ✨

Why CharlieJoe Chai?

Our founder, Charles Joseph Ciepiel, shares his story…

“My Sicilian mom, Mama Louisa, lovingly called me ‘CharlieJoe,’ as a tribute to my uncles, Charles DiPasquale and Joseph Comella, known for their strength and generosity. As the youngest of six, I received unwavering support from Mama Louisa and my father, Victor. In gratitude for their love and encouragement, we named our chai business “CharlieJoe Chai’ to honor Mama Louisa and the values she instilled in me. (Not to mention, she was also an incredible cook!)” 🤌🏼