Chai Tea
Traditional masala chai is a spiced beverage brewed black or Assam tea, with different proportions of so-called “warm” spices. The spice mixture, called Karha, uses a base of ground ginger and green cardamom pods.
Most masala chai found in restaurants or homes incorporates one or more of the following: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and cloves.
INGREDIENTS
4 whole cloves
2 green cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
3 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground black peppercorns
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons black or Assam looseleaf tea, or 2 tea bags if loose tea unavailable.
STEPS
Using a mortar and pestle, or a spice grinder [or the handle of a heavy kitchen knife and a sturdy cutting board], roughly crush the cloves, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Put these in a saucepan with the water, ginger, and black pepper, and bring to a boil. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let spices brew for 3-5 minutes.
Add milk and sugar to saucepan and return to a boil. Remove pan from heat and add tea to milky spice mixture. Cover and steep an additional 3-5 minutes.
Stir chai, then pour through a strainer into a warmed tea pot or individual cups or mugs. Makes 2 or 3 servings.
January Food Holidays | allspiceonline.com
January 6, 2014 @ 6:44 pm
[…] Month (recipes for Egg dishes) National Hot Tea Month (may we suggest Spiced Hot Tea, or homemade Chai Tea or Spiked Holiday Chai) National Meat Month (Recipes for Pork dishes, Poultry entrees, Beef dishes, […]
What’s Fresh: January |
January 16, 2014 @ 1:12 pm
[…] Chai Tea […]
You’d better watch out! Six ingredients you don’t want to be without this Christmas | allspiceonline.com
December 15, 2015 @ 3:46 pm
[…] I wanna live with a cinnamon (girl). From dense carrot cake and main dishes, to hot drinks like chai tea and spiced cider, who knew that tree bark could be so versatile? Here are lots of recipes using […]