Masala Chai☕️

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoon loose leaf black tea, or tea bags
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 clove
• 1" knob of ginger, chopped into slices
• ¼ teaspoon black peppercorn, freshly cracked
• ½ cinnamon stick
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste

🫖 Preparation

1. Add the whole spices to a mortar and crush them lightly into smaller pieces.
2. In a small saucepan on high heat, pour in the water and add the spices. Bring the water to a boil and add the tea bags or leaves. Lower the heat to a medium to low setting and simmer for two minutes, or until the tea leaves and spices have released flavor and color. Then, pour in the milk.
3. Method one - Double Boil
   Bring the chai to a boil on high heat, so that it starts aerating and bubbling to the top. Remove the pot from heat until the bubbles come down. Replace the pot on the burner and bring the chai back up again to a boil and remove from heat a second time until the bubbles go back down.
4. Method two - Pulling Chai
   Alternatively, use a small cup with a handle or ladle to scoop some of the chai and "pull" it while it’s simmering. Start by pouring in the chai at a low height and steadily move up higher while continuing to pour the chai back into the pot to create bubbles. Repeat a few times until the chai is bubbly.
5. Continue to simmer the chai until desired consistency and color, about 5-7 minutes. Some of the liquid will have evaporated by now, so the chai will be smooth and creamy. Remove the saucepan from heat.
6. Strain the chai with a sieve into glasses, mugs, or a tea pot. Mix in the sugar according to taste, and serve hot.