Masala Chai Tea

By daiseyduck

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water
• 2-4 whole green cardamom pods, smashed
• 1-2 thin slices fresh ginger
• 1 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 piece star anise
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons loose black tea leaves
• Sweetener, to taste (I prefer honey or maple syrup)

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from thekitchn.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a small saucepan, combine the water, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon stick and star anise. Bring the mixture to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for a few minutes until the mixture is fragrant. Add the milk and tea leaves, and simmer for another minute then turn off the heat and let steep for 2 minutes. Pour into a cup through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the leaves and spices. Add sweetener, to taste.

If you want deeply flavorful tea in the morning, follow these alternate directions starting the night before.

In a small saucepan, combine the water, cardamom, cinnamon stick and star anise. Do not add the ginger yet. Bring to a boil then turn it off and cover the pan. In the morning, add the sliced ginger and bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for a few minutes until the mixture is fragrant. Add the milk and tea leaves, and simmer for another minute then turn off the heat and let steep for 2 minutes. Pour into a cup through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the tea and spices. Add sweetener, to taste.