Holiday Chai (Massala)

“Chai” means tea, “massala” means it is spiced.  Chai is not necessarily a health food, it can have dairy, sweeteners (honey or sugar) and caffeine.  It is, however, a very nice treat and good any time of the year.

Purified water ………………………………..6 cups
Black tea (eg Tetley) ……………………….9 tea bags
Milk (OG cow’s, soy or almond) ………4 cups
Green cardamom, whole, green ……….2 tbsp
Cinnamon stick ………………………………1
Cloves, whole …………………………………3 – 4
Nutmeg, freshly grated ……………………1/4 tsp
Black pepper corns …………………………1 tbsp
Ginger root …………………………………… 1 inch piece

Crush cardamom pods gently.  Place all spices in a pot with water and bring to a boil.  Throw in tea bags and milk and bring to a gentle boil again, remove from heat.  When the liquid settles, bring to boil again, remove from heat.  Repeat one more time.  Sweeten to taste with honey, stevia or regular sugar or have your guests add their own.  Remove tea bags and strain chai through a medium seive to catch the spices.   Ladle chai into mugs and serve.