Chai tea

== Description ==
A traditional drink of India, 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 recipe.
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* For eight servings:
== Ingredients ==
* 2 teaspoons fresh ginger root; grated
* 1 whole star anise broken up
* 1 teaspoon orange peel; grated
* 4 pieces cinnamon sticks; 1½ inch
* 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
* 10 whole cloves
* 5 whole peppercorns
* 5 cups water
* ¼ cup black tea leaves; (like Assam or Darjeeling)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* ¼ cup honey
* 3 cups skim milk
== Method ==
# 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.
Category:Indian Beverages