Try Chi! A Classic Recipe for Chi Tea

I have recently been thoroughly enjoying a re-discovery of Chi Tea.  Yea, I know it’s been all the rage at coffee shops all over the place for what, years now?  And I’ve tried it too, and never really got it until I ran across this recipe and made my own.  I think the difference is the milk.  It’s just not the same with water…

Here’s What You Need:

• Cardamom pods (really just the seeds from 2 of them)
• Star Anise
• Cinnamon stick (I use half if they’re long like the one in the picture above)
• Black Peppercorns
• Cloves
• Black Tea
• Fresh Ginger
• Water
• Milk
• Some kind of strainer (yes, you need it)

Here’s What You Do

To make your chi tea, Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pot.  While you’re waiting on the water to boil, use a mortar and pestle (anyone know which is which?) to grind up the seeds from 2 cardamom pods, 1/2 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 2 black peppercorns and 3 cloves.  You don’t have to make them powder, just smash ’em up real good.  When the water boils, add 1 cup milk, heat to boil, remove from heat and dump in the spices, 3 teaspoons of black tea and one slice of fresh ginger.  Steep for 3 minutes and then strain into 2 teacups (or 1 really big cappuccino cup).

You certainly can boil the milk & water at the same time, but I found that sometime the milk will scald the bottom of the pot and make cleanup a pain.  And I’m all about easy clean-up.

Why Should You Like Chi Tea?

Well, aside from the obvious fact that it’s delicious and totally rocks, there’s evidence that cardamom counters oxidative stress and enhances the function of natural killer cells, and may even play a role in preventing certain cancers.  So get yourself on the chi tea band wagon with this awesome recipe.  You’ll thank me.

Another Freebie Tip…

Spices can be expensive.  But I’ve found if your grocery store has a good selection of Mexican/Latino foods, you can usually find spices there for sometimes half the price of the McCormick’s and Spice Island stuff in the traditional spice aisle.  Look around… you might save a few bucks.