Laurens Masala Chai Concentrate Recipes

LAUREN'S MASALA CHAI CONCENTRATE

Steps:

• special note about spices (If you have a bulk foods or Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage kind of grocer nearby, get the spices from the bulk section. They often cost 25% what you'd pay for a jar! My total ingredients expense was around $1.50, not including the milk!).
• In a medium-large saucepan, bring about 7 cups water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, add the 6 spices (do not add the tea yet).
• Once the water/spice mixture is boiling, add the tea.
• Boil 5 minutes, then remove from heat. (I know you're never supposed to boil tea, but I found this works just fine. If you don't want to boil the tea, just boil the spices for 5 minutes and steep slightly longer.).
• Stir in the brown sugar (or honey) and vanilla.
• Steep for 8 minutes, then strain into a glass container.
• While you wait for it to cool, pour a mug 2/3 full with your chai and add hot milk to the top. (If it isn't spicy or sweet enough, you can still add more spices to steep - just strain the mixture again before storing.) OR for a real treat, use hot evaporated milk (I wouldn't want this every day, because its a little sweeter and creamier than regular milk.).
• Store in the refrigerator for 7 days (maybe longer, but all chai concentrate containers claim 7 days is best). Note: Normally you'd use 1:1 ratio of chai:milk, but I brew it a little weaker and save $ on milk since I drink so much chai.

MASALA CHAI

Steps:

• Bring the water and milk to a boil in a saucepot. Add the remaining ingredients, except honey turn the heat down to a simmer, cover, and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain*. Add honey and mix well. Store in refrigerator. Can be served hot or cold.
• *Note if using a glass pitcher, make sure to thoroughly warm the pitcher before adding hot chai.

CHAI TEA CONCENTRATE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan; add cloves and boil for 1 minute. Add cinnamon sticks, ginger, cardamom pods, peppercorns, and tea. Allow tea to steep for 6 minutes; strain into a container. Stir brown sugar and vanilla extract into tea and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

MASALA CHAI

Steps:

• Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add the cardamom pod, clove, peppercorns and tea leaves. Remove from heat, and let the mixture steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain into a cup, and fill cup the rest of the way with milk. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!