CHAI TEA

I don’t drink coffee, in fact I avoid caffeine. So when people suggest we ‘go for a coffee’ I shudder a little, agree to join them, and then often don’t know what to order. What did people do in the past when they wanted to sit down with someone and have a chat or a meeting? Chai has become my hot drink of choice. I take mine with no milk or sugar, but you can play around and serve it as you like.

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES

MAKES: ABOUT 1½ CUPS

WHAT’S IN IT?

30 g (1 oz/¹/₃ cup) green cardamom pods

45 g (1½ oz/½ cup) whole cloves

30 g (1 oz/¹/₃ cup) aniseed (or fennel seeds)

2 cinnamon sticks, crushed

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

2 star anise, crushed

2 tablespoons chopped dried ginger root

1½ tablespoons fenugreek seeds

1½ tablespoons unsprayed dried rose petals

milk and sugar (optional)

1 teaspoon honey (optional)

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

1.   Combine all the dry ingredients and store in an airtight jar.

2.   To brew your chai, infuse in hot water in a teapot or use individual stainless steel tea baskets. Add hot or cold milk and sugar or honey to taste.