Fragrant, Spicy, Authentic Chai Tea
By: Kristen Krueger
Published: Monday, March 15, 2010 - 7:14pm

Ingredients




2 cups filtered water
5 tablespoons black tea
5 tablespoons sugar
5 whole peppercorns
5 whole cloves
5 teaspoons whole cardamom pods (or 1.5  ground cardamom)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 cups milk

Preparation

1 Heat water in a saucepan over medium heat. 2 Add tea and spices (omit ginger) and stir well. 3 Dump in the sugar. 4 Brew until it is dark brown and smells like tea 5 When ready, pour through a sieve into a bottle. 6 Press leaves to get out all the liquid. 7 Quickly add ground ginger to the brewed tea and stir well. 8 Add chilled milk immediately.*

About


So many people love chai nowadays. Years ago you had to visit Indian restaurants to find it. Now it’s one of the most popular drinks at Starbucks. And if you’re craving chai really badly, Starbucks will suffice. But once you’ve had authentic Indian chai, you’ll taste the difference between the fresh ground spices and “chai syrup.” Blech. Okay, not blech. It’s chai tasting stuff. But it’s not THIS. A long time ago my friend and her mother taught me how to make authentic chai tea. This is their recipe times 5.
For chai you need cardamom. Car-da-mom. Say it. It sounds earthy and aromatic. You need cardamom and cloves and peppercorns and spicy ginger.
* I use equal parts milk and water but that’s all up to you. My friend’s grandfather prefers less milk so don’t feel like you’re sacrificing authenticity here, y’all.
And oh my, when you taste it…will you ever be a believer in real chai tea. Serve it hot with frothy milk or serve chilled over ice. Either way, you’ll taste such complexity of flavor, such earthy spiciness and such sweetness.
Mmmmm. Starbucks who?

Comments:
Maria Boyer

This sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it!