How to Make Chai Tea

Tea in the Chinese dictionary is called 'kuang ya', where the inception of this delicious drink dates as far back to the year 2737 BC. Tea can be made in so many ways, with countries worldwide harvesting some of the best tea leaves that nature can offer. It was considered to have many medicinal properties, and was known to mentally calm one's senses. Chai tea in particular, includes certain spices that go hand in hand with it, using any kind of tea from black tea, to green tea, and even red.

Whatever tea you use is fine, and certain spices that you add to it, to make the flavor rich and wholesome, is what makes it so unique in taste. Milk and cream, are another two important elements to the tea's mixture.

Making chai tea from scratch is a simple preparation to put together at home, by choosing from a vast spread of chai tea ingredients.

What You'll Need

• ½ cup water
• 1¼ non dairy creamer (powdered)
• 1¼ teaspoon of tea leaves (whichever you prefer)
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla non-dairy creamer (powdered)
• 2 green cardamoms
• 1 small piece of ginger
• 1 tablespoon of milk powder (non fat, dry)
• Two teaspoons of sugar (add more if you'd like)

Alternative Spices You Can Use

• Black cardamom
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Anise
• Black peppercorns
• Bay leaves
• Fennel

Method of Preparation

The first thing you need to do is keep water on the boil, and wait for the surface to start rippling. Do this recipe on a low flame at all times. Then, add in your spices, and stir it nicely. Then dunk in your cream and milk powder, and give it a brief stir―keep it on the boil for another 2 minutes. Pass the tea through a sieve, and let any solids stay put in it, as the liquid tea drains through. Lastly, add in your sugar; you can add more if you'd like. That's all there is to it!

The various health perks are evident because of the many spices that infuse it, to make it what it is.

• It's been used by Arab physicians, due to the presence of nutmeg, to treat problems related to the lymph and kidneys.
• The Chinese have used cloves as a pain reliever.

• Ginger helps in aiding the immune system, easing sickness problems when one is in motion, and is good for the circulatory system.
• Fennel helps in treating kidney and ocular problems, and is good for treating laryngitis as well.
• Star anise promotes good breath.
• Increased metabolism is brought on by black pepper.
• The spices can counter certain forms of cancer.
• Drinking tea is a good stress buster option.

It tastes very refreshing and serves as a good alternative for other unhealthy drinks. It can keep you going through the day, whilst eliminating problems like fatigue and anxiety. What more could one ask for? Drink up!