A good friend who has spent a lot of time in India recently introduced us to this lovely spicy chai latte recipe. In India, the word chai is synonymous with tea, so I'll avoid the term 'chai tea' here, as it can irritate some people. However, in the US, chai refers to a specific blend of tea and spices that produce a wonderfully aromatic infusion. You can purchase chai teabags, but why do that when everything you need is right in your AllSpice rack. It is the perfect warm sweet drink for fall and it is a good excuse to show you the AllSpice rack that I use to house my loose teas!
- 2-3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1T Whole Cloves
- 2T Cardamom Pods
- 1T Fresh Ginger
- 3 Black Peppercorns
- 2-3 Star Anise
- 1/2t Freshly Grated Nutmeg
- 2c Water
- 2T Black Tea leaves
- Whole Milk
- 1T Sugar
- Honey to taste
Crush all spices with mortar and pestle. Steep tea, spices and ginger in a pan of simmering water for ten minutes. Strain liquid and discard spices. Pour liquid into a mug until the mug is half full. Fill the rest of the mug with whole milk. Stir in sugar and honey. Serve hot.