This takes me back to my sophomore year of college, when my best friend and I discovered a vanilla chai tea mix that we just loved, but was way too pricey for our limited budget. It was a rare treat. And it never occurred to us at the time to try to make it ourselves.
For one cup, take a coffee filter and fold it into an envelope. Nothing fancy, just enough to keep the contents from escaping while steeping. Pour into the envelope
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Place this in your teacup and pour boiling water over it. Leave it for a minute or two before adding your teabag. Make the tea as strong as you usually like it, then when you add your cream and sugar, also add
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Mmmm, heavenly!
Here’s a powdered vanilla chai mix to keep on hand or to give as a gift-in-a-jar. Tweak it to your personal preferences. I prefer the steeped method myself, as the ginger and cardamom don’t really dissolve, and end up as grainy remains at the bottom of your teacup if you use the mix.
For a cold alternative, leave out the sugar, cream and vanilla and throw this in the blender with a cup of vanilla ice cream. Top with whipped cream, and you’ve got a Starbucks Chai Frappuccino!
Posted on February 11th, 2007 by Dove
Filed under: Domestic Arts
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