Ingredients

• Four 3-inch cinnamon sticks
• 4 teaspoons cardamom seeds
• 2 teaspoons dried powdered ginger
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• Vanilla soy milk or 2 percent milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black tea (Oolong or English Breakfast)
• Honey to taste

Directions

1. Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces.

2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat until very hot.

3. Add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom seeds, ginger, cloves, and peppercorns.

4. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir constantly, until the aromas from the spices have released and the cinnamon sticks have darkened slightly.

5. Immediately transfer the spice mix to a bowl.

6. Grind the mix into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.

7. Work in batches if the mixture fills your mortar and pestle more than 2/3 full.

8. For each large cup of chai you plan to make, combine in a saucepan of appropriate size, 6 ounces soy milk, 12 ounces water, and about 1 teaspoon spice mix.

9. Bring this mixture just to a boil.

10. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the tea, then cover and allow to steep for 5 minutes.

11. Strain the tea into a cup and sweeten to taste with honey.

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