
Chai Tea Ice Cream
(gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, grain-free, egg-free)
Chai tea is a powerful blend of tea, herbs and spices, which has been cherished for centuries in India where it is used to preserve health and increase peace of mind. In addition to improving digestion, chai tea enhances the immune system, fights inflammation and has antioxidant properties. It has also been suggested that it has antibacterial and anti-cancer effects.
While a hot cup of Chai Tea is precisely what I enjoy sipping on in winter – Mila is not that keen! Another way to get this ‘medicine’ into her, is in the form of ice-cream (yes, ice-cream can be medicine too!)
And so here it is, my recipe for Chai Tea Ice Cream – gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free! (Remember sugar inhibits the immune system and dairy creates mucous – so you want to avoid these two things especially when your little one is ill.)
Makes: 1 litre (1 qt.) and serves 6 to 8 adults
Place ice cream mixture in silicone muffin cups and freeze. When you are ready to serve the ice cream, take the solid ice cream out of the cups, chop into chunks and place in a food processor. Process the ice cream until it comes together in a ball (it will resemble breadcrumbs at first). Stop the processor and spread out the mixture evenly in the bowl, then process again if necessary until it becomes smooth (but not too soft).
While conventional ice cream is considered a dessert or an occasional sweet treat, I feel compelled to share why I avoid it at all costs… it’s not because of the dairy!
Store-bought ice cream has to be one of the most processed artificial foods available on the market today.
Here is a partial list of some ‘flavouring’ ingredients found in store-bought ice cream:
Many of these ingredients feature in the “Feeding With Awareness: Chemical Cuisine” chapter of my book. You can download my Worst Offenders Chart here for easy reference when being a food detective!
Homemade ice cream is something completely different! I sometimes offer it to Mila for breakfast! And no, not as a treat… but as a wholesome meal!
Besides the fact that there are no synthetic ingredients or high quantities of genetically modified sugars, the main ingredient in this ice cream (coconut milk) has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial benefits. It contains high amounts of beneficial fat – including lauric acid, a type of fat rarely found in nature, which can only otherwise be found in breast milk! Other nutrients found in coconut milk include: vitamins B, C and E, iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Chai tea is a powerful blend of tea, herbs and spices, which has been cherished for centuries in India where it is used to preserve health and increase peace of mind. In addition to improving digestion, chai tea enhances the immune system, fights inflammation and has antioxidant properties. It has also been suggested that it has antibacterial and anti-cancer effects.
Chai is made using different formulas, but there are a number of standard ingredients – black tea, being one of them. Since this chai tea is made with Rooibos instead of black tea, your little one can enjoy it too. The other ingredients include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and black pepper.
When looking at chai’s health benefits, it’s worthwhile to look at each ingredient in turn. While they act synergistically to increase each others benefits, each ingredient has powerful health benefits of its own.
Rooibos tea is caffeine-free, low in tannins. It contains vitamins and minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. It has anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and its antioxidants boost the immune system.
Cinnamon is known to have antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antiseptic, local aesthetic, anti-inflammatory, warming, and anti-flatulent properties. Cinnamon supports digestive function; relieves congestion; relieves pain and stiffness of muscles and joints; stimulates circulation; helps prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease and it is a powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli, Candida and other bacteria.
Ginger is well known as a remedy for headaches, menstrual cramps, motion sickness, nausea, indigestion, wind, colic, irritable bowel, loss of appetite, chills, cold, flu, bronchitis, poor circulation, and heartburn. Ginger tea is a useful remedy for morning sickness. Ginger aids digestion, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, and protects against bacteria and fungal infections.
Cardamom is considered one of the most valuable spices in the world due to its rich aroma and therapeutic properties. It aids digestion, supports the immune system, helps detoxify the body, improves circulation and may also fight respiratory allergies. It is used to treat bad breath, tooth and gum decay, sore throats, constipation, indigestion, colic, and may help prevent hormone-induced cancers.
Medicinally, cloves are used for their anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. They are well known for their ability to relieve tooth and gum pain, but their many other benefits include: a digestive aid; relief from asthma and bronchitis; relief from muscle pain from injuries or arthritis and rheumatism; eliminating intestinal parasites, fungi and bacteria (including Candida); encouraging creativity and mental focus.
Pepper has been in use for centuries for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, carminative and anti-flatulent properties.
(Be warned: Some prepackaged chai teas/chai tea powders, as well as those found in restaurants, can have large amounts of sugar added to the tea.)