How Do You Make Chai Tea?
A traditional drink of India and Pakistan, masala chai has become a popular beverage worldwide. While you may certainly purchase teabags at your local grocery store, you will achieve a more authentic flavor if you make it yourself, bouquet garni style, using the following recipes. • Bundle up the first seven ingredients in a length of cheese cloth and tie it together with a string. This is called a bouquet garni (pronounced “boo-KAY gar-NEE”). • Place the bouquet garni in a pot of water. The string should be tied to the handle for easy removal later on. • Bring the water to a very low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer. Boiling water may extract too much bitterness from the tea leaves. • Add tea leaves and continue simmering for 15 minutes. • Remove the bouquet garni. • Strain the remaining liquid through a sieve to remove tea leaves. • Add honey, vanilla, and milk. Serve. Pour the mixture over crushed ice if you’re serving it cold. This makes eight servings.
Chai tea, or masala chai, or chai latte, is a heart-warming tradition in Indian households, and a great way to relax in any culture. This is a traditional Indian recipe; compare it to the Starbucks version. Step 1 Heat the water in a sauce pan. Step 2 Peel and slice the fresh ginger. Add to the water and simmer for about 2 minutes. Step 3 Add the black tea. Let simmer for another 2 minutes. Step 4 Crush the fennel, cardamom, and coriander in a mortar and pestle. Add to the water and let simmer for about 6 minutes. Step 5 Crush the cloves and let simmer for another 2 minutes. Step 6 Add sugar and milk to taste, and raise to the boiling point. Step 7 Strain with a strainer or coffee filters (or paper towels in a pinch) and serve piping hot.
