What is not to like about tea? Tea [0] and especially chai tea help prevent and fight many different kinds of cancer, lower cholesterol [1] and blood pressure, and may reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's [1] disease.
The fact is - every ingredient in chai tea [2] is good for you, and when you put them all together they pack a powerful punch for your immune system.
Chai is a great alternative to your morning cup of coffee - a 5 ounce cup of coffee contains 200 mg of caffeine and black tea contains half that.
In the winter, after a long day of playing out in the snow [2], it's nice to come home, take a hot shower and curl up on the couch with a steaming cup of chai tea. Of course you can buy chai tea packets [3], but nothing compares to making it yourself.
Want to see my recipe? Then
Masala Chai Tea (serves 4)
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 cups milk (good source of calcium and protein)
- 2 packets of black tea (full of healthy antioxidants [4], that may help prevent everything from heart disease to strokes to cancer)
- 4 whole cloves (believed to invigorate and restore energy; helps generate heat in the body; useful during the cold and flu season)
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces (is a stimulant to other herbs enabling them to work faster)
- 2 cardamon pods (stimulates the mind and gives clarity)
- 1/4 tsp dried ginger (believed to strengthen and heal the digestive and respiratory system, as well as to fight off colds and flu; removes congestion, soothes sore throats, and relieves body aches; recent studies have shown it to be effective in preventing motion sickness)
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper (warms the body)
- 2 Tbsp honey [4] (for sweetness and soothing qualities - adjust amount to your liking)
- In a mortar, crush the cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon.
- In a saucepan, add the mixture to the water, ginger, and pepper, and bring to a boil.
- Remove the pan from the heat, cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Add the milk and honey to the pan and bring to a boil.
- Remove from the heat and add the black tea. Cover and let steep for 3 minutes.
- Stir the chai, then strain it into a warmed teapot or directly into teacups.
Mmmm. I'm going to make some right now.