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Monday 1 April 2013

Recipe XCV - Spicy Tea, Chai Masala



Chai Masala is a pretty special tea made with the most flavoursome ingredients, and in southern Asia varies from region to region, household to household. Every tea maker has his/her own way or favoured combination. The ingredients you can use range from star anise to peppercorns, and depending on the quantity, the flavour you want can be reached by adding more of one or less of another. I am making my own preference, so the ingredients below are how I like mine.


Ingredients (for 10 cups):
3 to 4 cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
15-20 green cardamoms
1 tsp ginger
15-20 black peppercorns
Water:milk ratio = 2:3
2 teaspoonfuls of tea per person
Sugar to taste

Instructions:
Put the cardamoms whole into a blender.


And the peppercorns too.


Add the other ingredients and give it a spin for a minute or two until it is pulverised. You can always use your own coffee grinder, which is very effective.


Once it is all nicely crushed, you can keep it in a jar until you need it.


Take a saucepan and fill it with the water and milk you need depending on the amount of cups you require. Put half a spoonful of your mixture per cup into the saucepan and heat until nearly boiling but not quite. Once nearly boiling, add the tea; two teaspoonfuls per cup, and don't forget to add sugar either now or once in the cup.


Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, and then strain into the cups.


The perfect warm drink for sitting outside in the still cold spring air.

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