The Best Chai Tea Mix

Edible Gifts: The Best Chai Tea Mix Recipe
The Best Chai Tea Mix

by Dana Velden

Chai tea mix is one of best gifts, especially if it's given with a hand-thrown mug and one of those long, involved novels that are best read in January. (Armchair optional.) It's also great to keep a few batches on hand as hostess or last-minute gifts.

The beauty of this Chai tea mix recipe is its flexibility. You can adjust any of the spices to your taste and even eliminate one altogether. Candied ginger is added instead of fresh (which obviously won't keep) or powdered (which can make the resulting tea murky.) The red peppercorns are optional because they are quite expensive, but using them does add a little holiday color, especially when paired up with the green cardamom pods.

This Chai tea mix recipe is based on one by Maria Helm Sinskey. I've made several changes in the proportions and the brewing instructions, and added the red peppercorns, but the basic concept is hers.

The Chai tea mix recipe makes enough chai to fit into a half-pint canning jar and is easily multiplied for larger batches. I try to collect jars and old tins throughout the year to fill. You can also use small bags (see sources below) or make your own from scraps of cloth. The possibilities are endless!

Chai Tea Mix Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Yield: Makes about 12-16 teabags

Chai Tea Mix Recipe Ingredients

12 green cardamom pods

1/2 teaspoon whole red peppercorns (optional)

1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

1 4-inch cinnamon stick

3 tablespoons chopped candied ginger

1/2 cup loose black tea

Chai Tea Mix Recipe Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.

With a sharp knife, split the cardamom pods in half. Place in a pie tin along with the peppercorns, fennel, coriander, cloves and cinnamon.

Toast in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the spices are fragrant. Remove and cool.

Crush spices lightly with a rolling pin or in a mortar and pestle. You may have to crumble the cinnamon stick with your hands.

In a bowl, toss the spices, candied ginger and tea together until blended.

Spoon into your container of choice (mason jar, cello or parchment or waxed paper bags, vintage tea tin, etc.) When wrapping this as a gift, include fillable tea bags and brewing instructions (see below). Alternatively, you can fill each tea bag with approximately 1 tablespoon of the chai mix and tie it loosely to close. (But that's a lot of work if you're making several batches!)

Chai Tea Brewing Instructions (tea for one)

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of milk

1 tablespoon of Chai Mix placed into a tea bag

Sugar or honey to taste

Bring the water to a boil and add the teabag. Turn off the heat and let steep for about 5 minutes. Add the milk, turn on the flame and reheat until hot. Remove from heat, discard teabag, sweeten to taste, enjoy!

Sources:

-- I used PG Tips bulk loose tea from Amazon: $6.74 for 8.8 ounces. I think this is the best tea to use here because the spices will need a strong tea to stand up to them, but nothing too fancy since the primary taste will be the spice.

-- Penzey's is a fantastic online source for spices. Your local co-op is also a good choice, especially if they sell spices in bulk

-- I use a fillable tea bags made by Adagio, found on Amazon: $12.50 for a box of 100. Note: When I last purchased these several months ago, they were half this price. I will probably try a new brand when I run out.

-- A good online source for red-and-white string is Bell'occhio has a thicker version: $35 for a lifetime supply.

-- The jar I prefer is the fabulous mini-Weck found at Heath Ceramics (www.heathceramics.com). $14.40 plus shipping for six jars. (It holds about 4 tablespoons of the mix.)

-- Clear cello bags are easily found online and in craft and well-stocked kitchen supply stores. Cello Bags offers a pack of 100 for under $5.

Dana Velden is a writer for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking

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Edible Gifts: The Best Chai Tea Mix Recipe

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