There is just something about starting the day with a nice cup of tea. Many people think of this as a winter activity, but these people must be the ones who do not enjoy the nice crisp mornings of Summer (and Spring and Fall).
Wake up and smell the roses (and a warm cup of a tasty beverage). I love coffee, but when I have time to make a good cup of tea – I love it more than anything. I have recently gotten into chai and whenever I have a bag of chai it leaves something to be desired! After doing some searching I came across a great starter chai mix (which I can pre-mix in larger portions and having sitting around) at All Recipes and then I found another make & drink 2 big cups recipe at Chat & Chew.
I currently can not wait to use the Groupon Gift Certificate I bought for myself to Milford Spice Company to get some whole spices to use for Chai – and other stuff as well! So – anyone have any good recommendations for spices that I should get!!?
CHAI (from All Recipes)
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups light soymilk
- 1/4 cup Stevia Extract In The Raw® Cup For Cup
- 6 black tea bags (or equivalent leaves)
Place water, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in pot and bring to a boil. Add soymilk and return to boil. Add tea bags (or equivalent leaves), remove from heat and cover. Let steep for 5 minutes and strain. Add Stevia Extract In The Raw and stir to mix. Serve hot or chilled over ice.
Chai Tea – Chat & Chew style
- 2 whole cloves
- 4 cardamom pods, crushed, or 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1/2 cinnamon stick or 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 slice fresh ginger or 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 teaspoons Darjeeling or other black tea leaves (4-6 tea bags?)
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 cup whole milk (vanilla almond milk)
In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water with the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon,and ginger and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat off and add the tea, letting it steep for about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and milk, and simmer on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes (do not boil), stirring to dissolve the sugar. Strain the liquid into a container with a spout, and pour into teacups. Serve hot.