Cozy Masala Chai

 Gee Minnelli, it's cold. Before it dropped below 40, I was happy as a lark hanging out near the fire place. These days, it doesn't quite cut it. So I dug out my thermals and wooly socks, my slouchy beanie and ugly Christmas sweaters so at least I'm nicely insulated. But when I'm forced to face the cold nothing keeps me cozy quite like a piping hot cup of homemade chai.

Chai is actually just the Hindi word for "tea." In the states, chai is more popularly known as a creamy spice tea drink which can be more accurately called "masala chai" (or mixed spice tea). This comforting beverage originated in India and is traditionally made by steeping tea and spices in a sweetened water and milk mixture. There is no universal recipe for chai but it normally includes ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom all of which have wonderful body-loving properties.

The list of benefits these lovely spices possess goes on and on, but what they all have in common is that they are both natural tummy soothers and pain relievers. No wonder it's so comforting!

My chai includes a few more ingredients than the basic recipe, all of which can be bought from Natural Grocers, Asian markets, HyVee, or any market that sells wholesale spices. If you want affordable, Asian markets definitely have the best prices, but if you want Organic, Natural Market is the place.
Another variation on the traditional recipe is that I use coconut milk instead of cow's milk. This is because, for one, it tastes amazing and, for duece, Jude and I both have a pesky little aversion to dairy. Make sure to look for coconut milk WITHOUT preservatives. I buy Thai Kitchen coconut milk which is only 30 cents more than the competitor who loads their stuff with preserving poisons. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but really 30 cents is worth saving yourself even a smidge of that junk.


Masala Chai
1 can Coconut milk
3 cups Water
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Tsp Coriander Seeds
1 Tsp Whole Cloves
1 Tsp Fennel Seeds
1 Tsp Black or Mixed Peppercorns
5-6 Cardamom Pods
1 inch Sliced Fresh Ginger
1 small Rose, Petals only
1 Black Tea Bag
2-4 Tbsp Raw Honey


Combine everything but honey in a small pot and simmer for 30-min to 1 hour. Strain, add honey, and serve hot.
Go ahead and share if you feel like it, you probably won't but it is the thought that counts, right? Or drink it real fast before anyone sees you, then you can use ""what they don't know can't hurt them"... yeah that'll work.