Skip the Pricey Coffee Place -- Here's a Great Christmas Latte!

"Chai Latte" and its many variations have been flying out the drive-thru windows of famous coffee stops like Starbucks for years now.  I am sure there is a Christmas Latte; but I avoid most things commercial, and chemical, and high fructose corn syrup at all costs.  

So, here's my holiday gift to you -- our personal "chai" recipe.  Each day at around 4pm, my husband and I make Nepali tea (called Dhud Chiya).  Our tea is similar, but waaaaaayyyy better than the chai lattes one can buy for $4 each.  For the $8 we would spend on two chai lattes, we could buy a month's worth of ingredients to make them everyday.   Are you ready for a yummy tea treat... perfect to go with your holiday goodies!



Here's what you will need to make delicious Nepali Milk Tea (Chiya):

Milk - 2 cups
Loose black tea (Indian tea is best; but your could use Lipton's loose tea as well). 1 TBS
Tea strainer
pan
cups
honey (or sugar if you don't have honey) - to taste (2-3 TBS)

Spices (you don't necessarily need all of these, but the first 3 are essential)
Cardamom (2-3 pods - crush them a little before use)
Ginger (1/2 tsp)
Cinnamon (1/2 tsp)
Cloves (2-3 seeds)
Nutmeg (1/2 tsp)
Black Pepper (just a tiny tiny pinch)

Or Pumpkin Spice is good if you only have a couple ingredients.

First, put your milk in a pan and start to heat.   Before bringing to a boil add tea and honey/sugar (Nepali chiya and Indian Chai are served very sweet) and spices.   Allow to slowly boil for about 5 minutes.   Stir sometimes.  While your stirring, add some love to the tea.  You can do this by saying something, sending it with your eyes or your thoughts.   I personally like throw a pinch of love in it, just as I would the pepper!  

Take the tea away from heat and let cool for 2-3 minutes.  Then pour through a tea stainer into cups.  Enjoy!