Chai (Spiced Tea)

Even though it's suppose to be summer, the weather has been cold and gloomy so it feels more like autumn somehow. Having lived in the UK for almost 5 years, I should probably have already gotten used to the erratic weather. It sometimes snows in April and Oct. I've encountered rain, hail, snow, bright sunshine all in a day. Weather that alternates between heavy rain and bright sunshine every hour. I should have gotten used to it by now but somehow I haven't, just like lots of people over here. I now understand why the British like talking about the weather so much as it's really something you'll have to experience before believing.


So on days when it's cold, nothing warms me up better than a nice cup of Chai(spiced tea). Chai originates from India and every household have their very own special recipes so after going looking through quite a few, I came up with this version that may be a little more gingery then the norm so feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste

Ingredients:
1 big thumb of ginger (sliced thinly)
10 whole black pepper
1 cinnamon stick
3 green cardamom pods
3 cloves
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 star anise
grating of netmeg
2 black tea bags
1.5 cups water
0.5 cups milk
Sugar to taste

Method:
In a pestle and mortar, crush up the black pepper, cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves, star anise and cardamom. 


Place all the crushed spices, ginger and water in a pot and simmer for 20 mins.


Add milk to the pot, boil for a minute before adding the tea bags and boil for a further 2 mins.


Pour the chai through a sieve, add sugar to taste and enjoy!! :)