You Eat That – Chai Tea | Chai latte | Masala Chai | Arkadia Chai Tea

In this episode of You Eat That! We take a look into the ingredients of Chai tea.   Chai Tea is basically black tea with a mixture of Indian spices and herbs. Chai Tea is said to be very healthy, however in today’s episode of You Eat That!, we will discover that Chai Tea from a regular department store is heavily processed and isn’t that healthy after all. Take a look at the listed ingredients on the label of the Chai Tea we looked at:

Sugar
Corn syrup solids
Hydrogenated coconut oil (Please see note)
Maltodextrin
Flavours
Instant tea (4%)
Sodium caseinate
Mineral salts
– 340 – Potassium phosphate
– 451 – Sodium tripolyphosphate
– 452 – Sodium metaphosphate
Emulsifiers:
– 471 – Mono-and di-glycerides
– 481 – Sodium stearoyl lactylate
Soy lecithin
Salt
Anticaking agent:
– 551- Silicon dioxide, amorphous

As you can see the first ingredient is sugar, then corn syrup solids – another sugar. Next on the list is coconut oil – which could be a trans-fat or a saturated fat or both (see note). Next is Maltodextrin which is a highly processed additive made from starch, and raises your blood sugar levels higher than normal sugar. Read more here.  Then flavours and instant tea which is a powder and makes up 4%  of the total contents.  So in other words the first 5 ingredients in this brand of chai tea, is made from sugar, more sugar, fat, a carbohydrate,and  flavours.   You almost want to throw up like I almost did!  (watch the video)

If you are after a healthy recipe for Chai Tea fear not, I have one for you.  Just click here.  As a chai tea fanatic myself I make enough to last me a week and I can instantly heat in microwave and run out the door.

 

Note: As the label is not specific in whether the coconut oil is partially (trans fat) or fully (saturated fat) hydrogenated or whether the oil contains both, partially or fully hydrogenated coconut oil. It also does not say whether the oil has been interesterified. (Do not know long terms health affects) So it is best to avoid foods that contain any type of hydrogenated oil.