Recipe

Cardamom Chai

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Cardamom Chai

Photo by Sarah Shatz

  • Chef

    amanda's Notes: As a drinker of purebred coffees and teas, I was skeptical about chai and its maelstrom of spices, its blast of sugar. I lumped chai drinkers in with owners of tiny, transportable dogs and...

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Makes about 5 cups, serves 2 to 4

About 6 cups water Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup whole milk Ask a question about this ingredient

Seeds from 1 green cardamom pod, ground Ask a question about this ingredient

2 heaping tablespoons black tea leaves, preferably strong-tasting Assam tea Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste Ask a question about this ingredient

  1. Heat the water to a boil. In a separate pan, heat the milk to a boil, stir in the cardamom, cover, and set aside.

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  2. Place the tea leaves in a heavy pot. Pour in a little of the hot water, then pour it off. Add the remaining hot water. Place over medium heat, bring to a boil, and boil for about 30 seconds, then pour the tea through a strainer into a pot.

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  3. Add the hot milk by pouring it through a cloth-lined strainer into the tea. Add the sugar and stir. If you wish to froth the tea, pour the mixture into another pot, then pour it back, continuing until it's frothy.

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  4. Place the pot back over the heat and bring the tea almost to the boil, then pour it into cups.

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7 Comments on Cardamom Chai

New_years_kitchen_hlc_only Reply

This works really well with green tea, too! I was never that crazy about cardamom until I tried this. Just love it. ;o)

Reply

"Pour in a little of the hot water, then pour it off." I have never heard of this, how much water and why do you do this?

Reply

That mortar and pestle is (are?) stunning. Where can I find the set? Also, thrilled to try this recipe, will make some this afternoon for my pick-me-up.

Ss041609hs761 Reply

I got mine from The Gardener in Berkeley, but they no longer carry it. Here's the link to the designer -- http://www.johnjuliandesign.com/ Hope you enjoyed the recipe!

Ss041609hs761 Reply

Thank you -- I'm addicted, as well.

N501413281_1273671_4870 Reply

i have tea w cardamom every morning- couldnt live w/o it. i like how you drain the water off initially- i learnt that from a lady in a chinese tea house in San Francisco.

Ss041609hs761 Reply

oops -- meant that in reply to you: Thank you -- I'm addicted, as well.

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