Rooibos Masala Chai
Rooibos Masala Chai
About this Recipe
Warm, spicy-sweet, and soothing — what else could you want from a mug of chai? This one is made with decaf rooibos, so you can even enjoy it before bed.
The Benefits
Ginger aids in digestion, helping settle an upset stomach. The main compound in ginger, gingerol, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Rooibos is also antioxidant-rich, making this tea a warm cupful of good health.
Ingredients
1 quart (1 L) of concentrate MAKES
- 1 quart (1 L) water
- 1-inch piece (2.5 cm) of fresh ginger root, sliced (25 g)
- 4- or 5-inch (10 or 12 cm) cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
- 1/2 tsp whole allspice berries
- 1 tsp whole cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 whole star anise pods
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 whole black cardamom pod, lightly crushed (optional; it adds a nice smoky flavor)
- 1/4 cup (30 g) rooibos loose-leaf tea (or 8 tea bags)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
- 1 quart milk (1 L), any type, for serving
Directions
-
Step 1
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and spices to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer the chai spices for 20 minutes over medium-low heat, then add the rooibos. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 more minutes, then strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Press or squeeze as much of the liquid out of the tea and spices as you can. Stir the honey into the tea concentrate. If you aren’t serving it immediately, pour it into a jar with a lid and stash it in the refrigerator once it’s cooled to room temperature. -
Step 2
To serve, fill mugs halfway with warm chai and top off with warm milk. You can store the chai concentrate (without the milk) in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks. Just add milk at a 1:1 ratio when reheating. If you have a milk frother, now’s a great time to break it out!
About the author
Heather Arndt Anderson
Heather Arndt Anderson is an award-winning writer, recipe developer, and the author of four books about culinary history. She lives in an urban farmhouse in Portland, Oregon.
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