A dark combination of silky tea and milk, chai is the trendiest beverage hitting American coffee bars. Chai, tea, and milk seasoned with exotic spices and herbs, is served hot and steamy.
Homemade Chai
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
1 cup water
2 black tea bags, or 2 tablespoons black tea
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 to 2-1/2 tablespoons honey
1 cup liquid fat-free or lowfat non-dairy creamer, skim milk, or 1 percent milk; or a mixture totaling 1 cup
Boil 1 cup water in a saucepan. As soon as it boils, turn off the heat.
Add the tea bags or loose tea (in a closed tea strainer), cinnamon, fennel seeds, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and honey.
Let the mixture steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags or strainer.
Pour the liquid into a glass. Chill until cold, or for several hours.
Strain the mixture back into a saucepan, and add the creamer or milk.
Heat until almost boiling, whisking to make it frothy.
Pour the chai into a mug or cup, and enjoy!