Here’s a homemade Chai mix recipe that a friend passed along to me. It’s mighty tasty and beats the pants off of any premixed Chai I’ve tried!
Chai mix:
1 cup ginger, cut and sifted (this is what it’s called. You don’t want powdered or dried ginger root)
1/3 cup cinnamon pieces (I find 1/4-inch works well)
1/4 cup decorticated cardamom seed
1-2 Tbs. coriander seed
2-5 bay leaves (love the bay!)
2 Tbs. black pepper
Bay and pepper are the secret ingredients. Pepper isn’t so secret, but it gives chai its warmth. I sometimes add a tablespoon of whole cloves, but often don’t bother.
Put everything in a food processor and run just enough to break things up a bit. You’re not trying to pulverize stuff, just get a little more mileage out of it.
Be very careful not to inhale deeply over the ginger or the mixed spices. It will make you sneeze like crazy. Trust me.
