it’s the spice tea known as “Masala Chai.”
This recipe comes from Yogi Bhajan, who introduced Kundalini Yoga to the west in the late 1960s. Yogi Bhajan is also the founder of the “Yogi Tea” brand, which is easy to find in health food stores. It’s very simple to make this tea at home and the aroma is heavenly.
It only takes a few minutes to prepare, but you leave the mixture to simmer for as long as three hours.
- 15 whole cloves
- 20 black peppercorns
- 3 sticks of cinnamon
- 20 whole cardmon pods (split the pods first)
- 8 fresh ginger slices (1/4″ thick, no need to peel)
- * 1/2 teaspoon regular or decaf black tea leaves (approximately 1-2 tea bag)
- Dairy or soy milk and sweetener– sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste
Bring two quarts of water to a boil. Add cloves and boil one minute. Add cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon, and ginger. Cover and boil for 30 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer for two to three hours. Remove from heat, add black tea, and let cool. You end up with a thick syrupy liquid. Strained, it will store in the refrigerator for weeks. When you want a cup, heat equal amounts tea and milk, and sweeten to taste.
You MUST add milk to this tea, by the way. The lactic acid binds to the tannins or something handwavy like that. But you don’t have to heat it– you you can drink it iced.