Dalgona Chai (Whipped Chai Latte)
दलगोना चाय
Dalgona Chai is India's viral Gen Z twist on the Korean Dalgona Coffee trend — instead of whipping instant coffee, strong chai concentrate (made with tea, spices, and sugar) is whipped to a thick, creamy foam and floated atop cold milk. The Indian version incorporates masala chai's signature spices (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper) into the whipped foam, creating a drink that is simultaneously recognisably Indian and thoroughly Instagram-worthy. The golden-brown foam piled on cold white milk, swirled with a spoon before drinking, became one of India's most-shared food trends during the pandemic and continues to be a café staple. A fusion that actually works — the whipped chai has the same creamy texture as dalgona coffee but with the beloved, complex flavour of masala chai.
- Total
- 15 min
- Serves
- 2
- Level
- Easy
Prep 15 min
Ingredients
Method
Brew 3 tbsp of very strong CTC tea in 3 tbsp hot water (very concentrated). Strain and cool to lukewarm. You want concentrated tea liquid, not regular tea.
About 5 min
Tip: The tea must be very concentrated and cooled — hot tea will not whip properly and will deflate the foam.
In a bowl, combine the cooled strong tea concentrate with sugar, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. Whip using a hand mixer or frother on high speed for 4–7 minutes until the mixture triples in volume and forms stiff, glossy, caramel-coloured peaks. The whipped foam should hold its shape on a spoon.
About 8 min
Tip: A hand mixer is much faster than a manual whisk — manual whipping can take 10+ minutes. The mixture must be visibly stiff before it's ready.
Fill glasses with ice and cold milk (leave room at the top). Spoon or pipe the whipped chai foam generously on top of the milk. Dust with a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom. Swirl with a long spoon before drinking to blend. Drink immediately while the foam is still fluffy.
About 2 min
Tip: The visual contrast of the golden-brown foam on white milk is the showstopper — serve in clear glasses to appreciate the layering.
Nutrition per serving (estimate)
- Calories
- 200
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
- Sugar
- 34 g
- Sodium
- 100 mg
Contains: dairy
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Recipe by Boon Tools.