Ayurvedic Chai Recipe

Here’s my favourite Ayurvedic Chai Recipe (as seen on Urban Rush on December 6, 2010)

Whole Cardamom Pods – 6 to 7
Whole Black Peppercorns – 4 to 5
Cinnamon – ½ “ stick
Cloves – 2 or 3
Fennel – few seeds
Star Anise – optional 1 pod
Fresh Ginger – ¼ “ grated or thinly slicked
2 – 3 cups water
Organic milk – 2 cups or Organic Almond Milk if you’re vegan or milk intolerant
Tea – Robust English Breakfast or Assam Tea –  4 tsp
Roiboos tea is a nice option if you prefer to drink a de-caf version of chai, and Green Tea works well too for a milder taste.

To make:

Crush the spices in a mortar and pestle.  Add spices to ginger and water and bring to a boil.  Upon boiling, let simmer for 10 minutes at least ten minutes.  Add milk, let simmer for five minutes more.  Finally add tea-leaves, bring to a rolling boil.  Strain and serve.  You can add pure maple syrup, raw, organic sugar or a bit of agave nectar to sweeten.  The sweetness helps bring out the flavor of the spices.

Serve in small tea cups with a garnish of a pinch of freshly ground cardamom or cinnamon powder.

From: http://www.yogue.ca/insiyas-ayurvedic-chai/