Well, frell

[neadods]

I am about to be forcibly broken of my diet-unfriendly addiction to Atlanta Bread Bakery chai for breakfast because although they haven't changed the formula of the powder used to make it, they have stopped making it latte-style.

If I wanted to drink chai tea, I'd've been doing it for two years. I want to drink a chai latte (and no, Starbucks is not the same at all. Starbucks uses too much clove.)

Good for the diet, especially as that takes away the impetus to follow the chai with a buttered sesame bagel. But a hell of a bummer for someone who now has to figure out how to make their own darned chai lattes!

Comments

[un-sedentary.livejournal.com]

I usually just make a chai tea with a little bit of milk... Have I horribly misunderstood the concept of a latte? XD (That sounds like something I'd do...)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I always figured lattes were more tea-flavored milk than milky tea... but regardless of which of us is right about what a latte is supposed to be, in *this* case, it was straight up milk with flavorings in it - kind of a warm milkshake.

Only now, I still want my warm milkshake and they're making it with 2/3 water.

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

Strange that they've stopped making it latte-style. I mean, if the powder hasn't changed, and if they're making steamed milk for other drinks anyway, what's to prevent them from putting the two together?

[tchwrtr.livejournal.com]

I have had to change my language around chai lattes to point out that I want the thing ICED, as well as a LATTE. Not all baristas are made the same, and NONE of them make it the same way.

I'm sure you asked for a LATTE, and they said no. Which is a downer, for sure. (wow, 80s much?)

You can make a chai latte at home. Brew the chai tea STRONG, sweeten heavily, then add a bit to warmed milk. If you want it steamed, you're on your own. ;-)

(I recommend Tiger Chai Tea Bags (decaf or real caf) from Eastern Shore tea Company. Not as clove-y as the Tazo that Starbucks uses.)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you asked for a LATTE, and they said no. Which is a downer, for sure. (wow, 80s much?)

Not really. I've been getting the same thing there for nigh onto 2 years; they make it as soon as they see me walk in the door. The woman at the counter actually apologized to me when she said they'd been ordered to make it another way.

My bet is that they've been ordered to do it to lower costs, now that a drink that's the same price is mostly cheap water rather than expensive milk.

I'll check out Tiger Chai. I've got some of the Pacific powder which is lovely... but only works in whole milk.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I didn't ask, but I'm betting for cost purposes. The overall price didn't change by a penny, but now 2/3 of the liquid is a fraction of the cost.

[stunt-muppet.livejournal.com]

I actually find the chai anywhere but Starbucks (or the kind I make myself at home with warm milk, cinnamon, etc) not clove-y enough. Most everywhere else it's too sweet and milky for me. Huh.

*has nothing helpful to add*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Chais are incredibly subjective. I find Starbucks too clove-y, whereas I can't taste a *thing* other than overwhelming cinnamon at Panera. There's a place downtown that uses Pacific powder, which is absolutely nummy... but *only* if made with whole milk; it's nasty and cheap with skim.

Which is what makes this absolutely suck, because Atlanta's was *perfect.* Warm with cinnamon and clove, but also nutmeg and honey and I think maybe even a touch of ginger, but no one spice standing out.

[tchwrtr.livejournal.com]

You know, you could mix the spices together yourself, and perfect your own chai. ;-)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Gonna have to.

I'm going to be slamming back a very strange set of shots this weekend...

[lizvogel.livejournal.com]

If you make it up to MediaWest one of these days, you'll have to try the chai latte at Beaner's/Biggby's. IMO it's pretty tasty, and they're generally cool about custom orders.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

The good news is, I plan on coming back to M*W.

The bad news is... not until I'm out of debt, which is going to 2013.

[lizvogel.livejournal.com]

Well then, cheers to 2013!

[nnwest.livejournal.com]

Can't help much with the actual chai part, but do make sure you write a scathing complaint letter to the management/corporate office of the place about the reformulation. Many times it takes a relatively few people who commit words to--OMG!--paper in complaint (and threatening to stop spending money in the store doesn't hurt, either) and formulations miraculously change back.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I intend to.

Not that I should go back to drinking it every day, but still!

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

1) I'm quite fond of Mystic Chai mix myself, and find it good either hot or iced. Trader Joe's brand is a little different, but also good. Maybe one of those would meet your "not to much clove or cinnamon" requirement.

2) I've seen a recommendation of soaking whole spices in sweetened condensed milk, and then adding that to your black tea as needed. The milk stays good in the refrigerator for about a week.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I like the condensed milk idea - hadn't heard that one before!