Chai Tea

As promised I am posting my Chai Tea Recipe.  I learned to make this from a lady named Louise who I stayed with during my last visit to The Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California.  Each morning instead of coffee we all waited in anticipation for Chai Tea.  She started the tea the night before by soaking the spices in the pot of water .... here's the recipe:

Indian Chai Tea

It makes 12-16 servings, so use about that amount of liquid in a dutch oven or large pot.

3/4 parts water (9-12 cups)
1/4 part milk     (3-4 cups)

Fresh Ginger Root, peeled - a piece about the size of your thumb
10-12 whole Cloves
12-15 Peppercorns
24 pods Cardamom
1-1 1/2 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
Honey, to taste (we used Canadian Honey)
Black tea leaves* - to taste.  We used about 1/3 Cup in a large tea strainer

*Indian tea leaves can be purchased at the Indian store, and they are rolled and feel much like granules; if you do not have these you can use regular black tea.

Put the spices in the water the night before you want to have Chai Tea.  In the morning, bring the water and spices to a boil and then add the milk.  Bring the water, spices and milk to a second boil then turn off the heat. Add the honey & tea leaves (use a tea strainer for the tea leaves).  Let it steep for a few minutes, then strain the entire batch of tea to remove the spices and serve!

You will see recipe is not exact.  It is not measured but made, both literally and figuratively, by heart.
Enjoy!