Homemade Chai

Ingredients

• 1/2 whole star anise

• 10 to 12 whole cloves

• 6 to 7 whole allspice

• 1 heaping teaspoon (or 2 short sticks) cinnamon bark

• 6 to 7 whole white peppercorns

• 1 cardamon pod, opened to the seeds

• 1 cup water

• 4 cups whole milk

• 2 heaping tablespoons high-quality, full-bodied broad-leaf black tea (Ceylon or English Breakfast)

• Sugar, to taste

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• 1. Boil the spices in water:

     In a 2-quart saucepan, add spices to 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how strong a spice flavor you want.

  2. Add the milk and simmer:

     Add 4 to 6 cups of whole milk to the spiced water. If you don't have whole milk, you can also use non-fat or low-fat milk. Just add some cream to it, a few tablespoons to your liking. Bring the milk and spice mixture just to a boil and remove from heat.

  3. Add the tea and steep:

     Add tea and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how strong your like your tea. (Option at this point - reheat to a simmer and remove from heat.)

     You can add sugar at this point, or serve without sugar and let people put the amount of sugar in they want. Traditionally, sugar is added before serving.

  4. Strain and serve:

     Strain into a pot, and serve. Add more sugar, to taste if desired.