Question:
Can I drink Chai Post -Op

Can I drink chai post op if I have them (Starbucks) use skim milk or is the chai pre-mixed that they make. I love Chai and hope to be able to continue drinking it hopefully post-op.    — kathleen-Joan piper (posted on March 28, 2003)

March 28, 2003
I was told that you can drink STEEPED chai post-op...not the pre-made liquid chai. Most coffee houses have steeped chai and sell the chai tea bags. Hope this helps.
   — April S.

March 28, 2003
I'm a big coffee drinker and wanted something post op and the doctor said I could have hot tea. Well I thought Chai tea was OK until I found out that most of the mix is sugar. Most coffee shops use the pre-mixed stuff so it is hard to get it without all the sugar. I quit drinking the Chai and switched to hot tea with milk and sweetener. Not as good but better for you. Lisa
   — Lisa F.

March 28, 2003
DaVinci makes a sugar-free chai mix. The ones in the coffee houses are FULL of sugar - I don't recommend them!
   — Angie M.

March 28, 2003
I just tried Chai tea for the first time and I love it!! I bought the tea bags at the grocery store. They are just like regular bags except Chai flavor. They came in a box of 20 for $2.99...I just added my own sweetner and creamer so I don't think there would be anything wrong with that...I could be wrong though. I just know it didn't affect me in anyway.
   — candymom64

March 28, 2003
I make my own chai... better for you and a lot cheaper.. here's the recipe if you want it...<br><br>vary to your tastes<br><br> Chai Tea<br><br> 1 tablespoon fennel seed<br> 6 green cardamom pods (I use loose, teaspoon about)<br> 12 whole cloves<br> 1 cinnamon stick<br> 1 small piece ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced<br> 6 black peppercorns<br> 1 teaspoon lavender<br> 7 cups water<br> 2-4 of your favorite tea bags (I use earl grey mostly --and I like it strong)<br><br> 4 tablespoons brown sugar (I don't use real sugar but splenda and sugar twin brown sugar)<br><br> 1 cup milk (I add milk as I drink it, not to the batch)<br> combine fennel seed, cardamom, cloves, lavender cinnamon stick, ginger root, peppercorns and water. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes. Add the tea, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 5 minutes.<br> Strain mixture, discard spices and return the tea to the saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and milk. Serve immediately although I leave the milk out and put it in the fridge and drink it cold too.<br><br> I also make it all in the microwave sometimes.. in a four cup batch...<br> I also sometimes add 1/2 a vanilla bean in pieces.. or a tiny 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla... <br> when I microwave -- I put everything but the tea, sugar and milk in... microwave it for about 5 or so minutes... then add the tea bags a cook it a little longer --I pour it through a strainer and add the milk/sugar subsitute...
   — Lisa C.

March 29, 2003
I don't usually dump but I had a horrible expereince with Chai a few months ago. It's quite rich and sweet--I can drink a mocha but not a Chai!
   — jenn2002