Every time I make this Golden Chai, it’s different according to the day, the weather, the stories and feelings of the moment. I improvise from this basic recipe – be creative, enjoy the process of making something perfect for your unique day.
This recipe truly is a general recipe that will give you the very basic groundwork needed to make your own unique dairy-free-healthy-warming-your-soul chai tea.
Ingredients
Tea Concentrate
- 4 – 5 cups of water
- 3 – 5 of your favourite black tea bags (depending how strong you want it). The tea can be caffeinated or not.
Your Unique Golden Chai
Remember, the ingredients you choose for your unique Golden Chai is up to you!
- 7 tbsp of honey, or brown sugar or coconut sugar (choose your sweetness)
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and grated (add more or less, to taste!)
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
- 1-2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1-2 Star Anise
- 1 tsp ground turmeric, or use fresh if you like!
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
The Finishing Touch
- 6-9 cups of coconut milk, soya milk, milk product or cream of your choice
- Grate fresh nutmeg on top (optional)
Note: use organic ingredients. I personally love the spices from The Gathering Place as their products are incredibly delicious, organic, fresh, and of high ecological consciousness and community ethics. Plus, it is so important to support local business – the Gathering Place is all of the above and more.
Directions
Tea Concentrate
- Bring water to boil then turn onto simmer.
- Add the tea bags.
- Let tea bags steep for 4-5 minutes
- Remove the teabags
Your Unique Golden Chai
- Add the ingredients you selected from the list above
- Simmer for as long as you desire for the flavours to infuse
The Finishing Touch
- Add milk, or milk substitute to your golden pot
- Froth the mixture to add richness if desired (optional)
- Grate nutmeg on top of your mug (optional)
- Add more sweetness if needed
- Give it a taste!
- Balance the flavours according to your inclination
- Fill a mug or two, sit near a window and gaze out at the world.
Sip and savour life.
In Joy, Risa.
Risa Salsberg has been preparing this Golden Chai and serving it alongside her edible creations of breakfast and lunch feasts at Hollyhock. In the 2017 season alone, Risa and the fabulous kitchen team have served more than 2000 guests.
