It's time to sit down for a cup of tea. My life has felt so out of sorts lately. Maybe it's Manservant's office that is now empty because of the flood, and maybe it's the folly that still isn't done-though it is getting close-( I can't wait for the REVEAL); maybe it's the stress of Manservant's job that is wearing on me-in any case, I truly do need to take a break and have some chai-tea, that is. Did you know that chai is just another word for tea? Well, now you know. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Bhakti, the creator of original fresh chai. Sustainably sourced, craft brewed, this stuff is full of ginger and other good karma.
Founded by Brook Eddy, a real Bad Ass woman, in 2006, Brook's journey began with a trip to India in 2002. Brook travelled to Northern India to study the principles of Bhakti which translates to devotion through social action. It's there she encountered masala chai and fell in love with the spicy aromatic drink. When welcomed into someone's home in India, one is often offered tea. Each home has their own version of the spicy sweet tea we call chai-which to them is still just tea!
After leaving India Brook realized how much she missed her beloved chai and started brewing up batches to give to her friends and family. Things quickly take off from there and Brook soon found herself selling mason jars of chai to local cafes and coffee shops. From there it is is only up for Brook, and finally in 2007 she was able to start devoting a percentage of profits to local nonprofits focusing on women, girls and the environment.
Bhakti presses 288,000 lbs of fresh ginger each year and so when I say spicy, I mean it! Brook not only sells concentrated chai concentrate with fresh pressed ginger, which is fair trade, non GMO and vegan, she also has launched a line of sparkling teas with flavors like mango lime matcha and mint mate. Loved these and they are also perfect mixers spiked with your favorite spirit.
In 2015 Brook launched GITA – “Give, Inspire, Take Action- gitagiving.org, a social giving platform to share her inspiring projects with fans around the world. Bhakti chai is also a certified B corp, that use the power of business as a source for good. If you are a lover of chai-which I am quickly becoming, you can even become a Bakhti ambassador. The qualities they look for are also the qualities they have in their tea. Sweet, Spicy, Strong, Fresh, Healthy, Inspiring. Come to think of it-these also describe Brook quite well.
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Recipe
Date Nut Chai Bread
- Prep Time: 40 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Total Time: *5 Minutes
- Yield: About 12 Slices 1x
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This date nut chai bread, studded with walnuts, dates and dark chocolate is also full of the intoxicating flavors of gingery chai. Consider yourself enlightened by this chai bread. Perfect served with your favorite cup of chai!
Ingredients
- 1 c coarsely chopped, pitted dates
- ¾ c chopped walnuts
- 1 ½ t baking soda
- 1 t salt
- 3 T melted butter
- ¼ c milk (warmed)
- ½ c chai concentrate from Bhakti (heated with milk, until simmering)
- 2 eggs
- 1 T vanilla
- ⅓ c brown sugar
- ⅔ c sugar
- 1 ½ c unbleached flour
- ¾ c dark chocolate chips
Chai Glaze
- 1 c powdered sugar
- 1 T melted butter
- 2 T chai concentrate
Instructions
- Combine dates, walnuts, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and heated milk and chai. Stir once and let stand for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan.
- Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add vanilla, sugars, and flour and mix to combine. Stir in the date mixture and chocolate chips, mixing just until blended.
- Turn mixture into loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of bread comes out clean. (This might not be all the way clean, because of the gooey dates and chocolate chips.) Let cool on wire rack before glazing. Remove from pan when cool and then glaze.
Chai Glaze
- Combine butter and chai concentrate. slowly whisk in powdered sugar until no lumps remain. Pour over cooled loaf. Let sit until glaze hardens up.
Notes
20 Minutes is Resting Time.
The Ninja Baker says
What a wonderful field trip indeed, Abbe. Your Date Nut Chai Bread looks sooooo good...And ginger is so good for you. Looks like the Bhakti chai is truly fantabulous.
Sippity Sup says
Hee Hee. Chai Tea is Tea Tea! Who knew? GREG
HWC Magazine says
Now this is one delicious moist bread! It would not last long in our house. Can't wait to see the final reveal. Good luck with that!
pamela (brooklynfarmgirl) says
This looks so tasty!
Sue/the view from great island says
This tea looks like such fun, I need to get to Sprouts asap! I'm a long time lover of date nut bread, and it's been way too long since I've had some, thanks Abbe!
Chris Scheuer says
This bread looks wonderful and sounds delicious. I love Chai flavors and can only imagine how delicious they would be in bread.
All That I'm Eating says
This sounds great, would love a slice for breakfast. I've not seen chai paste before either.
Denise Browning says
Full of good ingredients and looking moist and quite delish. Gotta try both the drink and your bread recipe.
Juliana says
This cake sounds and looks delicious Abbe...I love the chai flavors in it, and the sweetness of dates.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I love chai! This bread sounds completely amazing! I'm hoping your folly is done soon. I can't wait to see it! Have a great (and I hope relaxing) weekend, Abbe 🙂
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
What I am honestly MOSTLY interesting in, is the GLAZE. This girl is a GLAZE kinda girl! 😉
Tricia Buice says
What a great idea to add those wonderful warm chai flavors to this nutty bread. I love a good cup of chai tea and once made a wonderful ice cream flavored with chai. Love the history and background and now I know what chai actually means! Great recipe Abbe and I hope everything settles down soon 🙂 My kitchen remodel is finally getting close to finished, after 14 months (heavy sigh). Backsplash going in now. I want my life back and know you understand that!
Liz Berg says
Date bread reminds me of my mom!! Yours looks moist and scrumptious with a modern twist!!!
Angie Schneider says
This reminds me of X'mas fruit nut bread, Abbe. That chai glaze makes this quick bread even more tempting!
Kitchen Riffs says
Love ginger! But 288,000 pounds is a LOT! Anyway, this bread looks terrific -- tons of flavor. Hope your folly is finished soon -- can't wait to see it!
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
You recipe for this quick bread looks like a great direction to go with the Bhakti chai. The glaze really sets this apart as something special! I can see why it was enjoyed at your house. I enjoyed the trip to Bhakti with you, so nice to see you!