December is finally here
And with it, all of the holiday cheer!

Memories of Christmases that have past
Makes us rejoice in its returning at last.

With snow, gifts, and family - oh my,
We must show you a tea called Chocolate Chai!

Of course we came up with a new recipe
A delicious pudding that's amazing and velvety.

It's incredibly simple and easy to make,
Easier than - you guessed it - baking a cake!

We hope you read on to discover something new
And the Merriest Christmas season to you!

December is here and we have a new tea recipe for you to enjoy that's sure to bring a smile to you and your loved ones! And if you're a chia seed pudding lover, this recipe is just for you! But before we dive right into it, you might be asking yourself, What are chia seeds? and What's so special about Adagio's Chocolate Chai? Worry not, dear readers as we have answers to your questions!

What Are Chia Seeds?

When you first hear the word chia the jingle 'cha-cha-cha-chia!' might come to mind from the old Chia Pet commercials from 1975-80s. But did you know that while it makes for an excellent plant decor, you can eat them?

The seeds come from Salvia Hispanica, a desert plant from the mint family and are native to South Mexico and Guatemala. Due its place of origin, chia seeds became a staple in ancient Mesoamerican cultures for centuries

Chia seeds, in description, are small ovals that appear in shades of blacks, greys, browns, and white. While this seed looks unassuming with a measuring average of 2.1 mm in length, there's more than meets the eye. One serving size (2.5 tablespoons) contains about 140 calories, 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbohydrate, and 9 grams of fat, of which 8 grams are heart-healthy fats. Absorbing 12 times their weight in liquid, it's ability to develop a coating of mucus that gives the seed a gel-like texture that makes it popular in drinks and treats.

Loaded with antioxidants, more specifically caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin, these little guys help protect your cells from free radicals by neutralizing them and also help lower blood pressure. Because they're high in fiber, they are likely to help with heart disease as they contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) that is linked to aid heart disease. Another benefit is that a single ounce of the seeds can improve bone health as they contain magnesium, phosphorus, and 18% of your daily recommended calcium intake.

What's So Special About Chocolate Chai?

The real question is: what's not special about it? It's with this tea that we've taken two of the best flavors in the world and combined them into one. Chocolate, with its famous buttery sweetness, sourness, and bitterness, and chai, with its complex mix of spices, a few being cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg... What's not to love? It makes for the perfect tea during the cold season to warm you up and give you the energy to attend all of the holiday parties or to enjoy a nice cozy day in!

(If you're new to spiced teas, don't worry, we got you covered! Check out our post A Quick Guide to Chai!)

Now to the good stuff!

The Recipe

This recipe makes 2 servings.

Ingredients

3 tbsp chia seeds
2 tsp of Chocolate Chai
1 3/4 cup of your choice milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp of your choice honey (although we recommend our https://www.adagio.com/honey/honey_chocolate.html Chocolate Whipped Honey)

Suggested, delicious additions
Shaved chocolate
Figs
Mixed nuts
Cherries
Bananas

Equipment

Jar
Pot
Tea strainer or cheesecloth

Directions

In a pot, warm the milk until it reaches 212 degrees.

Add the tea and let it seep for 8-10 minutes.

Tip: For this step we highly recommend using a tea strainer as it not only helps keep the loose tea leaves together, but is the easier method.

Once finished brewing, strain the milk using a cheesecloth, or if using a tea strainer, remove the tea strainer.

Mix the honey into the milk and stir until dissolved.

Set the milk aside to cool.

While the milk is cooling, add the chia seeds and your desired additions in the jar.

Once the milk has cooled, pour the milk in the jar and mix for 1 minute.

Close the jar and refrigerate overnight or for 4 hours.

Serve the pudding, add desired additional toppings, and enjoy!

Tip: Create a 7 day expiration date for your pudding if you tend to save it for later!

And that, our dear friends, is a wrap
As we hope you enjoy a couple of laughs

With those you love during this holiday season
Whose love will surely keep you from freezin'!

We hope you try our new delicious treat
That's both nutritious and beautifully sweet.

We hope you share it with your friends
And that your holiday plans mend

Together to create a memorable year
Filled with smiles and happy tears.

Tea Chef

Check out this month's TeaChef recipe competition! Head over there to submit your own creations to potentially win a $50 gift card to Adagio!