I have been addicted to masala chai ever since I had first tasted it. Unfortunately, few of the commercial blends have nearly the spiciness that I prefer so I spent a little time in my kitchen concocting my own version of the brew. The recipe below makes a marvelously spicy-sweet brew that is exactly what I am looking for in this wonderful beverage. I've been planning to convert this recipe into a base for making chai ice cream as well. When I get that figured out, I will post the recipe here.

Some of the spices may seem strange in a sweet concoction but they work very well. This version has a lot of zing from the black pepper and ginger, it is an intense and warmly spiced drink but I wouldn't call it spicy in the sense that it is piquant or hot. It is spicy in the sense that it is very aromatic and the pepper and ginger work very well with the sweet creaminess of the milk and sugar.

This recipe is also very good cold, but if you wish to serve it that way, leave the fennel seed out and definitely use the vanilla. The fennel leaves a rather heavy taste when chilled. The chai can be refrigerated and reheated later if you like.

Dragon's Masala Chai

• 1 piece fresh ginger about 1 inch diameter, 1/2 inch thick
• 1 tbsp. whole black pepper corns
• 1/2 tbsp. whole fennel seeds
• 1/2 tbsp. whole coriander seeds
• 1/2 tbsp. whole green cardamom pods
• 1 tsp. whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 regular tea bags
• 3 cups cold water
• 3 cups whole milk
• Jaggery (palm sugar) or honey to taste
• Optional: 1 inch piece of vanilla bean or 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cut the ginger into small pieces about 1/4 inch cubed. Crack open the cardamom pods. Combine all of the spices and tea bags in a saucepan with the cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer three minutes. Add the milk, turn the heat back up and bring back to a boil. Be careful that it does not foam up and boil over, reduce heat and simmer for at least 10 minutes, 20 is preferable. Remove from heat, strain the spices and sweeten to taste. Serve hot or refrigerate for later.

Makes about 5 cups.

Page Last modified: April 20 2006 18:25:33.