Simple Spiced Chai

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4.7 of 5 (9)

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 91.1

Total Fat: 2.7 g
Cholesterol: 9.8 mg
Sodium: 52.2 mg
Total Carbs: 13.3 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.4 g
Protein: 4.4 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Simple Spiced Chai calories by ingredient

Introduction

This is how I make chai when I need something warm that makes me feel enveloped in comfort without the added calories of my former addiction: hot chocolate. It's spicier (in a warming way that is very soothing) and lighter in taste than any chai from a coffee shop. The method is also quite authentic. If you can, make sure to use fresh, whole cardamom pods, whole cloves, and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add a couple of drops of vanilla extract or use a very small amount of fresh ginger. The recipe is calculated with four teaspoons of sugar, but it is completely up to you. This is how I make chai when I need something warm that makes me feel enveloped in comfort without the added calories of my former addiction: hot chocolate. It's spicier (in a warming way that is very soothing) and lighter in taste than any chai from a coffee shop. The method is also quite authentic. If you can, make sure to use fresh, whole cardamom pods, whole cloves, and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add a couple of drops of vanilla extract or use a very small amount of fresh ginger. The recipe is calculated with four teaspoons of sugar, but it is completely up to you.

Minutes to Prepare: 5

Minutes to Cook: 10

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

Black tea--four bags or four teaspoons of any loose black tea leaves you fancy

4 Cups cold water

Milk, 2 % 2 cups

Cardamom, 6-10 pods, lightly crushed, or 1 scant tablespoon ground

Cinnamon, 2-4 sticks or 2 teaspoons ground

Ginger, 1 tsp ground or 1 very small knob grated fresh ginger

Freshly ground black pepper, 1 generous tsp

Cloves, 6-10 whole or 1 scant tsp ground

Sugar to taste

Optional additions: about 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, lemon zest, orange zest

Directions

In a medium saucepan or pot, combine the milk and water. Bring to a gentle boil at medium-high heat. The milk and water is very prone to bubbling over, so it must be watched, but need not be stirred.
Once the mixture is boiling, turn off the heat and add the tea and spices, whisking or stirring the entire time. If the chai shows any signs of boiling over, remove it from the heat until it has calmed down, then return it to the warm burner.
Let the tea and spices steep for at least five minutes, until the chai turns a caramelly color, then ladle out individual servings. Add sugar to taste and enjoy.

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user ALDABATEUSE.