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If you love chai, you may be familiar with the Coconut Chai recipe on p. 102 of The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook. Since that recipe calls for making coconut milk from scratch, I thought I’d post a simpler and quicker (but equally as tasty!) variation here on the blog for anyone looking to save some time. It is perfect to sip on cold evenings now that the winter season is quickly approaching!
Creamy Coconut Milk Chai
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Mickey Trescott
Serves: 2½ cups
Ingredients
- 1 bag black tea
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 cup filtered water, boiling
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon vanilla powder
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Place the tea bag and cloves in a mug and add the boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the coconut milk, cinnamon, maple syrup, ginger, vanilla, and sea salt in a blender and blend to combine, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a saucepan and heat gently while stirring with a whisk.
- When the tea is finished brewing, discard the tea bag and strain the cloves. Add the liquid to the coconut milk mixture. Stir and heat thoroughly until the desired temperature is reached.
- Enjoy warm!
33 comments
After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I took a food sensitivity test to learn more. Vanilla scored a “5” and my doctor told me to stay away from it for 6 months. Is vanilla powder safe, though? Thank you.
Hey Becky,
Even though vanilla is AIP, you may react to additional foods – I might leave it out for a while and reintroduce later to assess tolerance.
Is the whole can of coconut milk supposed to be used? That’s 800 calories between the 2.5 servings
Narissa,
Yes! We don’t worry much about calories on AIP, especially when it comes from fat!
Just made this and am enjoying it right this second, so good, thanks for the recipe! I actually replaced 1/3 of the coconut milk with hazelnut milk which works nicely too 🙂
Eva,
Sounds fantastic, although hazelnuts are a no-go in the elimination phase. If you’ve been able to reintroduce them, yum!
I LOVE the Coconut Chai recipe on p. 102 of The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook! Any ideas on what to do with the pulp that is left over? It seems like such a waste to throw it out.
Hey Iva! I’ve experimented with what to do with it, and honestly all of the flavor is gone and it doesn’t taste good. It is just leftover fiber. Personally that is the part of the coconut I don’t tolerate well, so I am fine tossing but if you find a good/tasty use I’m all ears!
Is there a caffeine free version ?
Thank-you
Hi Sherry! Just use caffeine-free black tea.
Sounds so good and the punchy flavor may be just what I need to let go of coffee in the morning. If I’m making this just for me, can I drink half one day and half the next? Will it tolerate being refrigerated and reheated the next day?
I’m wondering the same thing. If I make a bigger batch to have on hand for a week or so at a time, do you think that would work?
Hi Jenn! Yes, you can make it ahead, I would just store in already portioned sizes so that there isn’t any issue when you re-combine and heat to serve.
Can you link or tell me where to buy cloves or exactly what they are??
Hi Hailey! They are available in the spice section of your grocery, usually either whole or ground. They are made of the flowering part of a tree.
Are cloves ok during the strict phase of AIP?
Hi Christen, Yes, cloves are in!
Can other types of tea be substituted? Black tea contains fluoride which is a thyroid suppressant.
Michele, it is nice with rooibos as well.
This is lovely with the tea and vanilla left out, too. Instead of canned coconut milk, I’ve been adding boiling water to my coconut manna/creamed coconut (to cut out the potentially BPA issue and all the waste) and it works perfectly for this. I just combined the spices and maple syrup with half the boiling water and the other half pour into the creamed coconut jar and stir around until it looks creamy enough. Dump them all together and enjoy. So good!
Smart! Thanks for sharing your variation with us 🙂
Is coconut milk in a can the same as using coconut milk beverage found in a carton?
Giselle,
Not always, but the carton will work fine for this recipe.
Hi Mickey, can you recommend a vanilla powder? I’m having trouble finding one with good reviews.
Thanks.
Hi Michelle! I have used a product from Wilderness Poets in the past that I really liked!
Is caffeine ok on AIP?
Barb, coffee is eliminated during the elimination phase of AIP because it is seed (coffee “bean” is a little misleading, since it is not a legume), but caffeine specifically is not eliminated. That said it is wise to consume caffeine in moderation & be aware of your individual health needs. Many people with autoimmune disease are struggling with adrenal and/or blood sugar issues early in their healing journeys & may find caffeine has a very negative impact in that setting.
Hi Barb! Caffeine is OK, but coffee (which is a seed) is not compliant. Hope that helps!
Thanks Mickey, it’s lovely and creamy!! I think this will help me as a substitution for a warm cup of coffee. Thanks for your post!
Should I limit the amount of coconut cream or milk or oil I ingest?
I love and find coco products very tasty and filling
But I wonder if I am eating too much.
Hi Karen! Without knowing how much you are eating, I would say yes it is possible to overdo. I don’t think using coconut oil as a cooking fat and having some coconut milk every day should be an issue, unless you are sensitive. But if you are having cups and cups of it every day, that could be a problem. As always, listen to your body for signs it is telling you it may be too much!
I’m new to the AIP (day 6 elimination phase) and your site. This chai is fantastic! What a treat. I have missed my regular (coffee) cup of comfort, until today! I’m sure this will be a part of my new developing lifestyle going forward 🙂
Jen, I’m so happy you found it helpful! Good luck!