Cultivating Wellness at Home - Chai Tea

Cultivating Wellness AT HOME

FRESHLY BREWED CHAI TEA Legend has it that the origin of chai dates back more than 5,000 years, when a king in what is now India ordered a spiced beverage created for use in a traditional medicinal practice in which herbs and spices are used for healing.

The name “chai” is actually the Hindi word for “tea”, which was derived from “cha”, the Chinese word for “tea”. In this case, the Hindi term chai means a mix of spices steeped into a tea-like beverage.

Chai has varied recipes depending on the region, climate, and cultural preference and also boasts a variety of health benefits including: • Reducing inflammation in the body, providing relief for conditions like arthritis • Soothing nausea • Improving digestion • Leveling blood sugar • Normalizing blood pressure • Boosting heart health

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Recipe and Ingredients

What you will need: • 2-inch piece of fresh ginger • 2 cinnamon sticks • 2 teaspoons black peppercorns • 6 cardamom pods • 6 cups cold water • 6 bags of black tea • 2 cups whole milk • ¼ -½ cup golden brown sugar, depending on the taste desired

Let’s get brewing: •

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium saucepan.

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Using a mallet or the back of the spoon, lightly crush or bruise spices.

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Add 6 cups of water; bring to a boil over high heat.

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Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover the pan, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.

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Discard tea bags.

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Add milk and sugar.

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Bring tea just to a simmer over high heat, whisking until sugar dissolves.

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Strain Chai into a teapot and serve hot or over ice.

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Spices may be adjusted to your own personal taste