I love chai tea. The first time I tried it about 10 years ago, I declared it was like having cake in a cup! Oh my, it was sweet and rich and full of spice, instantly comforting and wonderfully cozy. While popping a commercially prepared chai tea bag into a mug of hot water can be just what you need, making your own tea from scratch is a whole new experience in itself. It’s simple to make and I get to use my mortar and pestle to crunch on down those green cardamom pods (totally satisfying!) It smells great while it simmers away on the stove and it tastes even better. The best part about making it yourself is that you can control the sweetness and richness. I use skim milk and a big dollop of honey and found it perfect. Enjoy this nice hot cup of tea!
chai tea
4 c water
1 3″ chunk of ginger, peeled & sliced
8 cloves
1/2 t black peppercorns
10 cardamon pods, slightly crushed
1 large cinnamon stick, broken in two
3 bags orange pekoe tea
1 1/2 c milk
1 1/2 T honeyIn a medium sized pot, bring water, ginger, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom and cinnamon stick to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes. Strain liquid and return to pot. Add tea bags and let steep for 5 – 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and add milk and honey. Return to heat and simmer for a few minutes until steamy. Serve in big mugs.
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We make a similar tea (http://coconutlime.blogspot.com/2006/11/chai.html) but use the red and green label (loose) tea from our Indian grocery. Orange pekoe tea sounds easier to find!
oooo I love chai. I use to make this chocolate chai drink when I worked at a coffee place in high school. HEAVEN 🙂
Hi!
I’ve been running around like a chicken without a head today and finally sat down in front of my buddy ‘Mac’ and viola! your new post is up 🙂 and it’s chai tea!…the scent of cardamom is so heavenly. I have some in my cupboard but never know what to do with it.
I might just try this chai tea since I’m not a fan of coffee, but I do enjoy an exotic tea blend on occassion.
For the most part I’m a mainstream tea-o-holic, namely chamomile in the p.m. (sleep inducer), Moroccan-style, fresh mint leaves in boiling water (try it!) for after dinner, green tea with my sushi, jasmine – just beacause it smells so pretty, fennel for bloating, ginger for digestion, okay I’ll stop…love them all!
OMG…I made this and its heaven. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
rachel, i like using orange pekoe because it’s something i already have in my cupboards. but i’m sure your chai is even more wonderful!
mmmm, alicat, chocolate chai? i love it!
joanne, cardamom is the best scent, i agree! and teas are pretty wonderful. my friend returned from japan with the best strawberry-honey tea! mmmm.
beth, i think this recipe is calling your name! and it definitely can be made with all kinds of milk and vanilla almond milk sounds luxurious!
jenn, i’m so glad you made it! it is so delicious 🙂
Ooooh! Wow. I have all those ingredients at home! I could totally make that. It’s one of Liam’s favourites too. And I’m a recent convert to the wonders of ginger.
Although just this weekend I dscovered that Chai tastes even awesomer when you make it with vanilla almond milk.
mmm…i love chai. i will have to try your recipe!
I’ve never tried using honey. good idea!
cinderelly, i love this recipe. it’s quite simple and easy but totally yummy!
liberalfoodie, i always thought honey was the secret to chai! i’ve never had it with sugar. honey all the way 🙂
hi, jeannette!
great to see a chai recipe here. we call it masala chai(tea with spices)in india. do try a teenee bit of leongrass in it.
pragati
india