Thread:Silverisimo/@comment-24250059-20131221224336/@comment-24263188-20140302090301

.. *Drumroll* :P Here's the recipe I promised you.

You need to make this on the stove, preferably on a fire flame instead of the hot plates, which doesn't decrease temperatures as instantly as the former would. My measurements are for 1 cup of tea.

1 cup water + 1/4th cup extra (evaporation water)

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon black tea leaves

Spices (various)

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1) Measure your water and add it to a small pot on high heat.

2) Add the sugar, then spices* and stir it a little to dissolve the sugar and wait until the water comes to a boil.

3) Add the milk in and make sure the milk infuses** well with the water mixture.

4) Once the milk begins to rise, lower the heat (If you have electric hot plates, you'll need to get it off the stove or the milk will overflow).

5) Add the tea leaves in and leave it on low heat for a few minutes, until it turns into a strong and desirable drinking color. Again, if you have gas/fire, you can alternate higher and lower heat to get a color faster. Strain the tea and it's ready.

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..* Spices - My favorite combination is black peppercorns with a small piece of fresh ginger (I use my mortar-pestle for a coarse grind, which brings out stronger flavors). Another spice that works really well instead of ginger is green cardamom pods. Other spices that are used in chai: cinnamon sticks (half inch will do), cloves, even fennel seeds. You can experiment a bit to see what combinations you prefer. I generally like 1-2 flavors, otherwise the taste gets a bit confusing.

..** Infusion of water/milk - Use a small cup or bowl, take a small quantity of milk-water mixture and throw it back into the mix from a small height. Repeat this several times, you want a uniform blending of the milk and spiced water.

Tea leaves - I used Brooke Bond Red Label tea leaves, which is an Assam black tea blend. I'm sure you'll find an alternative very easily there.

It usually takes a few tries to figure out how you like the tea best, so good luck. I hope you like the taste :)