♥If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies♥

All of us at Three For Tea has our own favourite cuppa.

Earl Gray, green, red cappuccino

But the one we all agree on is Spicy Chai

The word “chai” actually means “tea” in Hindi & Punjabi

The spicy brew that Westeners call Chai tea is actually Masala chai or Spice tea

This milky tea is made by combining loose leaf tea with ½ hot water, ½ hot milk, spices & a sweetener, brought to a near-boil, strained & served

Traditionally black tea & sweeteners such as jaggery / honey was used. Condensed milk sometimes substitutes both the milk & sweetener (works for us!)

The traditional Masala Chai is a strongly spiced beverage brewed with "warm" spices. It mostly incorporates one or more of the following: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorns & cloves

The Kashmiri version of chai is brewed with green tea instead of black tea and has a more subtle blend of flavourings: almonds, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, sometimes saffron and a pinch of salt

With the wide range of Masala Chai teabags available these days it is really easy (though not quite the same) to quickly brew yourself a cup anytime – there is even a local Rooibos version on the shelves!

It is not quite the same as when made from scratch, but will still give you that fiery milkyness that is just the thing for this bleak July weather

Image: www.tea.co.uk