The word “chai” literally means “tea”. It consists of a blend of herbs and spices. In India this drink is known as a masala chai blend, but it is more commonly known as a chai latte. There is no set recipe for a chai latte, but a few ingredients can always be found: black tea, herbs like ginger, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and of course cloves. These flavours combined make for a deliciously warm and sweet flavour.

You can buy the masala chai blend as loose tea or in a tea bag. However, a traditional chai is made with loose tea, herbs and spices, milk and water. By letting it steep all the flavours make for a full and intense taste experience. This is how you make a chai latte!

Ingredients:

• 4 tea spoons loose black tea

• 2 cardamom pods

• 2 cloves

• 1 star anise

• 1 peppercorn

• Half a tea spoon cinnamon

• Half a tea spoon ginger powder

• Half a vanilla stick

• A dash of nutmeg

• 2 cups of milk

• Honey

Preparation:

• Put the cardamom, cloves, star anise and peppercorn in a mortar and bruise with the pestle

• Put the milk in a pan on medium heat

• When the milk is warm, add the tea, the herbs and spices, the ginger powder, the vanilla stick, the nutmeg and the cinnamon

• Let simmer for 10 minutes but don’t bring to a boil!

• Strain the mixture

• Pour into a high glass and add a tea spoon of honey to taste

Enjoy!

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