Make Warm and Spicy Chai Tea at Home!
During the winter months, we
commonly search out the tastiest hot drinks that will make us feel warm
and cozy. But once you've tired of tea, coffee and hot chocolate, what's
there left to drink?
Store the mixture in an airtight container or a mason jar with a lid.
To make the chai, add one cup of filtered water and to two teaspoons of loose black tea or two teabags of black tea. Heat them together in a small pot at medium heat. You want to make the tea strong enough so that it will carry the spices.
While the tea
is heating, add about 1/2 teaspoon of the dried chai spice mix (if you
opt to use fresh instead of dry ginger, add it now). Once the tea comes
to a boil, turn if off briefly or remove the pot from the heat. Then
pour in one cup of milk and a bit of sweetener (honey and raw sugar are
great). You shouldn't need more than 2 teaspoons.
Place the tea
back on the heat and bring it to a boil once again. Stir the tea while
it heats, or whisk to give the milk a foamy texture. Turn off the heat
and let the tea sit for a minute to finish absorbing all the flavors.To
finish, pour the tea into cups using a mesh strainer to keep the loose
tea and spices out.
Masala chai is a mixed spice tea that is flavored
by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs,
usually served with milk. Traditionally, the tea is prepared in a
process called decoction, in which the spices and tea are boiled
together to create the resulting chai tea.
Those who know chai, know that
its smell is quite distinguishable. It's a mixture of strong, creamy,
smoky and spicy that warms your belly and your heart without even taking
a sip. However, in most western countries it is difficult to locate the
correct spices to make chai the way the chaiwallahs do, but there are
still excellent ways to produce the same warming taste.
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Make this dry spice mix and store it, so that you will always have it ready for those cold days when all you want is a cup of something warm. Recipe makes: about 2 cups Ingredients: 1/2 cup black pepper, ground 1/2 cup cinnamon, ground 1/2 cup cardamom pods (make sure they are cracked or crack them with a knife) 1/2 cup dried ginger pieces 1/4 cup whole cloves If you'd like to add some nutmeg or anise, feel free. This makes the taste a little nuttier and richer. |
To make the chai, add one cup of filtered water and to two teaspoons of loose black tea or two teabags of black tea. Heat them together in a small pot at medium heat. You want to make the tea strong enough so that it will carry the spices.
Stir well and savor your creamy and dreamy homemade chai!