Homemade Spiced Chai

This recipe yields one cup of well-balanced, warmly-spiced Chai tea. Once you make it a few times, play around with the proportions until you get it just the way you really like it.

Ingredients

3/4 cup water plus 1/4 cup milk (more or less--play around with the quantities best suited for your cup and your tastes here)

2 teaspoons loose black tea leaves (Assam or Ceylon tea is your best bet here)

3 green cardamom pods

3 whole black peppercorns

1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 cinnamon stick

2-3 thin slices fresh ginger (can leave skin on)

3 whole cloves

Sugar, honey, or agave to taste

Instructions

Pour water and milk into a small saucepan, and begin to heat on the stove-top over medium heat. Before the mixture comes to a boil, add the fresh ginger and remaining spices. When the spice mixture boils, add the loose-leaf black tea. Turn off the heat and let steep for 2-3 minutes. Pour through a sieve to strain out tea leaves and spices. Add the sweetener of your choosing, and pour into your favorite mug.