chai — a basic recipe

3 cups water
5 green cardamom pods (crushed)
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
3 pieces star anise
2 tsp fennel seed
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (or 5 shaves of fresh grated)
1/4 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tbsp fresh grated)
1/4 tsp ground cloves (or 1 tbsp whole cloves)
8 black peppercorns

1 1/2 cup milk
6 tsp assam loose leaf tea
sugar (to taste)
cinnamon stick and star anise (for serving)

1. Bring water, cardamom pods, cinnamon powder, star anise, fennel seed, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and peppercorns to a boil over medium high heat.

2. Add milk and return to a boil.

3. Add tea and simmer for 2 minutes.

4. Strain, sweeten with sugar (to taste). Serve with cinnamon stick and star anise.

To achieve a froth chai, pour the strained tea repeatedly — and from a height — from vessel to vessel before serving.

Additionally the simmer (steeping) time can be adjusted. Longer times will yield stronger tea. However, one should be wary of the bitter taste of over-steeped tea.

Explore adding other spices, see some suggestions when you read
Chai Something Nice
in the archived edition of our Jan 2014 email.
Or get more recipe ideas/inspiration from our
Pinterest Board - [ tea time ]

If you want a more convenient cup please browse our Chai Tea Blends.