Chai Tea
Makes two mugs
(from Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn: Guilty Pleasure Number Two)
- 3 cups of milk (I use 2%)
- 1 knob of fresh ginger peeled (about 1-2 inches)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4-6 cloves
- 1 star anise
- Half a nutmeg clove
- 2 cardamom pods
- 6 black peppercorns
- 1 vanilla bean split in half
- 3 teaspoons of Darjeeling tea
Directions: Put milk and spices in a saucepan and bring to almost a boil, stirring constantly. Turn off heat. Add three teaspoons of Darjeeling tea, cover and steep for 4-6 minutes. Pour through a strainer into warmed mugs. Add sugar to taste. (Chai is generally on the sweet side, so I add two teaspoons per serving).