CHAI TEA FROM SCRATCH

Chai Tea from Scratch image

Provided by COOKGIRl

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups filtered water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon minced cardamom pod, slightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
3 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
1 inch piece vanilla pod, split open lengthwise
2 star anise
3 -4 saffron threads
1/4 teaspoon anise seed
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons loose black tea leaves (read NOTE) or 2 tea bags (read NOTE)
2 cups milk (soy milk is good, too) or 2 cups rice milk (soy milk is good, too)
honey, for sweetening, to taste (I prefer honey to sweeten my chai but I also like cane sugar-aka Sucanat)

Steps:

*NOTE: Any number of black tea varieties can be used in this recipe: Ceylon Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, etc. You'll have to try several types of tea to find out which you prefer.
Pour the water into a heavy bottomed pan. Add the spices and tea bags (or loose tea placed in a tea infuser or muslin cloth).
Bring to a boil, partially cover pan and simmer about 20 minutes to allow spices to intensify.
Add the milk or milk substitute and heat through WITHOUT boiling until hot.
Pour chai tea through a strainer into tea cups. Add sweetener of choice if desired.
Sit, sip, close your eyes, relax, enjoy!
Servings are estimated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 85.8, Fat 4.9, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 17.1, Sodium 67.4, Carbohydrate 7.1, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 0.1, Protein 4.2