Learn how to make a chai latte at home! This recipe is better than chai from a coffee shop, and it's easy to make with black tea, warm spices, maple syrup, and your favorite milk. I often use almond milk for steeping the tea, though regular milk or another dairy-free milk works too. If you're topping your latte with frothy milk, I recommend using whole milk or a creamy plant milk like coconut milk or oat milk.
Place the cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom pods, and star anise in a small pot. Toast over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Add the almond milk and ginger and reduce the heat to low. Gently simmer for 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.
Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Pour the tea mixture through the strainer to remove the spices, tea bags, and ginger.
Stir in the maple syrup, adding more to taste. Pour into mugs and top with foamed milk, if desired. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick and dust with ground cinnamon, if using.