Description:While recently gaining popularity in the US, Chai tea is a traditional beverage enjoyed throughout India, Sri Lanka and several Asian nations. This spicy drink is made by brewing strong, black tea with an assortment of spices – typically cardamom, cinnamon, pepper and cloves, among others. Milk and sugar are then added to the Chai tea to balance and enhance its spiciness with milky sweetness.
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While basic ingredients remain the same, recipes for chai teas allow for variations based upon personal taste. Rather than sugar, for example, Chai tea may be sweetened with honey, brown sugar or maple syrup. Likewise, Chai tea is equally delicious with skim, soy or rice milk
Although variations of Chai tea are available in bags, it is traditionally made with loose teas and tea infusers or by using a bouquet garni. While brewing your Chai tea, let the water just approach a boil for the best results. Water that is too hot extracts excess bitterness from the tea leaves. Allow it to steep for roughly fifteen minutes before using tea strainers to filter out any loose tea leaves. A lengthy steeping time will create a beautifully strong cup of Chai tea without bitterness to detract from the flavor.
Interestingly, the term ‘chai’ actually means “tea” in Hindi, Urdu and Russian. What Americans know as Chai tea is typically referred to as “masala chai” abroad (‘masala’ meaning ‘spice’ in Hindi ).
