Kesari Chai

SAFFRON MILK TEA

Making chai can be as easy or complex as you like! It's such a beloved drink that some people even choose it over water.

In my home, we love coffee, but we also appreciate a delicious cup of chai. No one would ever say no to a good cup of chai!

This drink was inspired by Kashmiri Kahwa, a green tea flavored with saffron and cardamom and typically served with almonds.

This recipe is super easy! Just boil some spices with milk and water, let it rise three times, then add tea leaves and let it rise once more. Finally, turn off the heat and mix in your favorite sweetener.

This recipe is for two cups of chai if you serve 6-8 oz in each cup.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ c milk

• ½ c water

• 1 tbsp dried rose petals

• 8 cardamoms

• 1 tsp dried ginger powder

• 1 clove

• 6 almonds

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 6 peppercorns

• 1 pinch saffron + more for garnishing

• 1 tbsp loose black tea leaves

  • assamese blend is the best

• 1 tbsp sugar or jaggery [more or less to taste]

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a mortar, grind your spices [rose, cardamoms, ginger, clove, almonds, cinnamon, and saffron].

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, pour in the milk and water and add in the ground spices. 

3. Bring to a boil, and let the mixture rise three times. Lower the heat and stir it to bring the milk back down after each rise, then increase the heat to medium. 

4. After the third time, add in the tea leaves, and bring them to a rise once. 

5. Turn off the heat, and mix in the sweetener of your choice- this is optional if you prefer unsweetened chai. 

6. Strain into two cups, or one ;). 

7. Garnish with saffron, and enjoy!