kristen's (AKA chai-walla) chai tea

So you can become a chai-walla, too!

EVERYTHING IS TO TASTE:

4c water
5-6 whole cardemom pods
big pinch of anise seed
big pinch of cloves
1 cinnamon stick
10-12 black pepper corns
1/4-1/2" sliced fresh ginger
black tea (3-4 bags, not sure how much loose-leaf)
raw sugar or honey or agave nector - choose your favorite sweetner
milk or half-n-half or cream

1. Grind all spices (except the raw ginger) with a pestle and mortar or spice grinder. (Just mash 'em!)*


2. Boil water with all spices 10 min.

3. Add tea and steep.**

4. Strain into your favorite cup.

5. Add sweetenerand milk or cream to taste.

*I actually just saw something about how you're supposed to heat them in a skillet until they release the aroma, THEN mash them... I'll have to try that.)

** Some recipes add the milk or cream here, re-heat to just under boiling, and steep the tea in the water/milk. It does make it creamier, but if you don't use it all right away it's harder to store. If you leave out the sweetner and milk, you can store it in your fridge for a few weeks if you make a large batch.

Enjoy!