Exact quantities, then the method.
Chai made with a Teapigs Chai temple is the quick everyday version: no pan of simmering milk, just a good strong brew in the mug. The Black Tea base and the whole spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and pepper, all want a full rolling boil and a proper six minutes, longer than a plain black tea, because whole spices are slow to give up their oils.
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the How to Brew a Cup of Chai recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/chai-tea/how-to-brew-a-cup-of-chai/
Finish it with a splash of warmed milk, a little honey or demerara, and a grating of nutmeg if you have it. Warm the milk gently rather than boiling it, since boiled milk scorches and gives chai a metallic edge.
You'll need
- 1 Teapigs Chai tea temple
- 250ml freshly drawn water, brought to a true rolling boil
- 50ml whole milk, warmed in a small saucepan or microwave (do not boil)
- 1 tsp acacia honey or 1 tsp demerara sugar
- A small grating of fresh whole nutmeg, optional, to finish
Method
- Fill the kettle and bring it to a true rolling boil.
- Pre-warm the mug by half-filling it with hot water from the kettle, swirling once, and discarding the rinse.
- Drop the tea temple into the pre-warmed mug.
- Pour the boiling water straight over the temple, filling to about 1cm below the rim.
- Cover the mug with a small saucer or a tea-cosy to trap the spice aromatics in.
- Steep, covered, for six full minutes.
- Meanwhile, warm the 50ml of milk gently in a small pan or the microwave; let it steam, but do not boil it.
- Lift the temple out with a teaspoon and discard, without pressing, as pressing squeezes out bitter clove and pepper.
- Stir the honey or demerara into the hot brew until dissolved.
- Pour in the warmed milk and stir; it should turn from deep amber to a soft tan. Grate a little nutmeg over the top if using, and serve.
The tea it is made with, and what to make next.
Want the background, not just the brew?
Brewed with: Teapigs Chai, 15 Tea Bags 52.5g
Rate it, keep it, add to it.
Made this? Rate it.
Tell us how it came out. A star rating and a line or two helps the next person who makes it.
Sign in to rate +5 to 25 reward points · sign-in required
The whole recipe as a PDF. Print it for the kitchen, or keep it on your phone for when you are offline.
Got something to add? Logged-in customers can submit additions to the Tea Wiki, admin-approved, your name on the byline, plus reward points.
Sign in to contribute