Carrie’s Chai Tea
I have been tweaking this Chai Tea recipe for a couple weeks and I love it – you can add more or less of any of the ingredients to get just the level of spice that you prefer.
10 cloves
10 green cardamom pods
10 peppercorns
2 cinnamon sticks
1 inch piece fresh ginger – sliced
fresh ground nutmeg
pinch of fennel seeds (optional)
fresh lemon balm leaves (optional)
2 heaping teaspoons yerba mate or darjeeling tea leaves
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups water
2 cups milk
sugar or honey to taste
Makes 4 cups.
In medium saucepan, add two cups water, all of the spices and bring to a boil, keeping covered. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, again keep covered.
Your house should be smelling amazing by now.
Take pan off the heat, add the tea leaves and lemon balm and steep covered for 5-10 minutes.
Add 2 cups milk, whole for the real deal and 1% for a skinny, vanilla and sugar (or honey) and bring to a boil, stirring regularly as to not burn the milk.
Strain through a mesh strainer and pour into cups. Breathe in and enjoy!