Almond Chai Chia Pudding Recipe

Gather the almond chai chia pudding ingredients

This recipe calls for unsweetened vanilla or plain almond milk. Be sure to check the carton to ensure the almond milk is fresh and contains no added sugar, as this could make the pudding overly sweet. The almond milk is warmed and infused with chai tea bags (feel free to select your preferred variety). Black chia seeds are then mixed into the warm almond milk tea, where they will begin to gel while you prepare the chai maple syrup. Opt for a dark or amber grade maple syrup to simmer with ground cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger. Finally, you'll need some slivered raw almonds, which you can quickly toast in a skillet to add a crunchy topping to your pudding.

Step 1: Simmer the almond milk

Heat the almond milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.

Step 2: Add the tea bags

Remove the heat and incorporate the tea bags.

Step 3: Cover and steep

Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the tea bags

Take out the tea bags, pressing them to extract any extra liquid into the milk.

Step 5: Whisk the chia seeds into the almond milk

Incorporate the chia seeds into the pan, stirring to eliminate any lumps.

Step 6: Combine the ingredients for the syrup

In a different small saucepan, mix together the maple syrup, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.

Step 7: Cook the syrup

Heat until boiling, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take off the heat.

Step 8: Stir the syrup into the chia pudding

Incorporate ¼ cup of the chai maple syrup into the chia seed mixture, setting aside the remaining syrup.

Step 9: Spoon the pudding into serving dishes

Pour the pudding into four glass serving bowls.

Step 10: Cover the pudding and refrigerate

Wrap each item in plastic and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.

Step 11: Add the almonds to a skillet

Place the almonds in a small skillet and heat them over medium-low heat.

Step 12: Toast the almonds

Stirring often, toast until they are golden brown (approximately 5 minutes). Move the almonds to a plate and allow them to cool.

Step 13: Top the pudding with the toasted almonds

To present the almond chai chia pudding, garnish each serving with a sprinkle of toasted almonds.

Step 14: Drizzle on the chai maple syrup

Drizzle approximately 1 tablespoon of the reserved maple chai syrup over the almonds.

Step 15: Serve the pudding

Enjoy right away as a snack or dessert.

What are the health benefits of chia seeds?

Chia seeds may be small, but they are incredibly powerful when it comes to nutrition. Just two tablespoons provide the recommended daily intake of fiber, making them an outstanding source. They are also abundant in omega-3 fatty acids and offer modest amounts of protein, B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. With such a wealth of nutrients, incorporating chia seeds into your diet can enhance overall health, supporting stronger bones and muscles while promoting digestive health.

In addition to chia seed pudding, there are many simple ways to add these "super seeds" to your meals. Consider mixing them into baked goods, pancakes, or waffles. You can blend chia seeds into smoothies, sprinkle them on salads, or use them to create a no-cook fruit jam. Kinnaird also enjoys adding chia seeds to overnight oats, where their jelly-like texture combines with the oats and liquids to create a creamy and slightly chewy consistency.

What is the history of chai?

"Chai" translates to "tea" in Hindi, and the combination of spices that gives chai its distinctive flavor is known as masala. Therefore, in India, the beverage is commonly called masala chai. It is believed that chai, as a spiced drink, originated thousands of years ago as part of ancient Indian medicinal practices. Over time, tea leaves were incorporated to create a spiced tea. The evolution of chai in India was also influenced by colonialism; during the mid-1800s, the British began cultivating tea in Assam due to concerns about their trade relations with China. This tea was exported to Europe, but during the Great Depression, Assam's production shifted to cater to Indian consumers.

British tea culture, which often includes milk, played a significant role in shaping chai. As a result, Indians crafted the milky, sweetened, and spiced beverage we now recognize as chai. Common spices in various Indian chai recipes include cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. In India, chai is an integral part of daily life, reflecting the tea culture that has become embedded in society. In the U.S., chai spice blends are widely available in tea houses and coffee shops, often featured in teas and coffee drinks like lattes or iced lattes.