Spices are insanely good for you (read more about their benefits) — and an easy way to get more of them is to drink chai. I like to make my own chai so I can add as much spice as I like. What’s more, boiling the spices makes the house smell like happy childhood memories (and who couldn’t use a few more of those?!).
My recipe is super spicy, so if you’re a little tentative about spices I’d suggest cutting the amounts I suggest below by a quarter or a half to start. Then, if you like it, building up your tolerance from there.
Also, I don’t add any sweetener because I hate things that taste good. (Just kidding! I gave up sugar a few years back and now I’m accustomed to it.) But this recipe is great with a bit of honey. Just don’t go crazy with it: Remember, low blood sugar is sexy!
Laine’s Super Spicy Chai
(All measurements are approximate. Experiment with them depending on your spiciness preference!)
Ingredients
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 1/2 tbs. cardamom pods (I use a mortar and pestle to crush mine)
- 1 tbs. coriander seeds (crushed)
- 1 tbs. cumin seeds (crushed)
- 1 (or more) bay leaves
- 1 to 2 tbs. cloves
- 1 whole nutmeg seed, partially grated
- 1 tbs. black pepper
- 1/2-inch to 1-inch grated raw ginger
- 1 orange peel
- 1/2 cup black tea
- 12 cups water
Directions
- Combine all spices and the orange peel in a large pot. Add the water. Boil for 20 minutes.
- Add the tea. Boil 5 more minutes.
- Strain.
- Then, unless you drink all the chai straight from the pot (an impressive feat!), store it in the fridge. (I use Weck or Mason jars.)
When you heat up a cup, add the milk of your choice. I don’t do dairy, so I use almond milk. In fact, I make my own of that, too, and you can learn how here.
