15 Dec Chocolate Pumpkin Tulsi Chai Latte Recipe (Vegan)

Celebrate the end of the fall harvest (aka pumpkin season) with this Chocolate Pumpkin Chai Latte using Tusli tea. Tulsi (or Holy Basil) is a sacred herb used in ayurveda for its rejuvenative properties. Naturally caffeine-free, it is a tonic for the nerves – perfect for de-stressing any time of day.

Topped with steamed almond milk and lightly sweetened with coconut sugar, this creamy, vegan latte is delicious and a healthier version than most store bought options. Enjoy!

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
Tulsi Tea Concentrate:
½ cup water, boiling hot
2 teaspoons tulsi loose leaf tea (or 2 tea bags)

Pumpkin Spice Blend:
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons coconut sugar

2 tablespoons pumpkin purée
2½ teaspoons vanilla
¾ cup water
½ ounce (6 squares) Green & Black 85% dark chocolate*

¾ cup almond milk, steamed

Pumpkin Spice Blend: In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and sugar. Set aside.

Tulsi Tea Concentrate: Using a French press or a tea ball, steep the tea leaves in the boiling water for 7 minutes.

While the tea is steeping, prepare the pumpkin purée. In a small pan over low heat, combine the pumpkin purée, vanilla, ½ cup water, chocolate and pumpkin spice blend. Simmer, uncovered for 2 minutes. Add the Tulsi Tea Concentrate then pour into two cups. Top with the almond milk.

Substitutions:
Substitute homemade almond milk (there’s an easy recipe in The Essential Ayurvedic Cookbook with helpful tips).

I used Green & Black 85% dark chocolate, which was vegan as of this writing. However, always check the label to ensure the ingredients haven’t changed. Same advice if you want to substitute the chocolate for another brand.

Lois Leonhardi is a certified ayurveda wellness practitioner, educator and author of “The Essential Ayurvedic Cookbook”. She trained under Dr. Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico and in Pune, India. She has over 20 years of training in holistic studies (ayurveda, yoga and Buddhism).  Lighthearted and compassionate, she listens to your concerns and creates realistic personalized programs to help you de-stress, detox and restore balance naturally. Sharing the wisdom of the mind-body connection and how to use food as medicine she reveals the secrets of how to slow the aging process, increase energy and bolster immunity giving you the tools to heal yourself, feel better and look great.

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