Fresh Ginger Masala Chai with Almond Milk

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp ginger, finely grated, peel on

• 1 2-inch piece of cinnamon stick, coarsely crushed in a mortar and pestle

• 20 green cardamom pods, coarsely crushed in a mortar and pestle

• 4 whole black peppercorn, coarsely crushed

• 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp loose leaf black tea (like Kenyan loose leaf tea, Tea India CTC Assam tea, Taylors of Harrogate loose leaf Assam)

• 3 cups almond milk

• 3 cups water

• sugar or your choice of sweetener, to taste

Preparation:

1. Combine ginger, cinnamon, cardamom pods and seeds, peppercorns and 3 cups water in saucepan. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the tea and boil 4–5 minutes, until the water is dark brown.

2. Add the milk and return to a boil until it threatens to boil over, about 4 minutes. (Not all plant based milk will rise when it boils. If yours doesn’t, let boil for 30 seconds before continuing with the recipe and lowering the heat.) Place a wooden spoon across the pot to avoid bubbling over. Reduce heat to low, then, when foam has settled, return to medium high heat. Continue to boil for a total of 15 minutes from the time that milk was added, until the liquid has reduced, and has a deep tan color. If the foam continues to rise, lower heat slightly.

3. Remove from heat. Using a strainer, strain tea into 4 teacups. (For a frothy chai, pour the chai from one cup to another a few times until bubbles form.) Add about 1 tsp. sugar (or more to taste) per cup, and serve immediately.

Notes & Tips:

• I have tried various chai recipes but never was able to fully embrace the taste. For many years, I've refused to even try chai because of all the "lack" of taste and flavor. Over many months, I've worked on this recipe until I came up with a chai that I truly enjoy.

• This recipe can be customized (as chai is meant to be) based on your own personal taste. Swap or add in one or all of these spices for a different cup of chai: 2 tsp. dried mint, 8 cloves (gently crushed), 4 inches of cinnamon stick (gently crushed into smaller pieces).