A rain-soaked monsoon morning, or a windy cold one, nothing can better start your day than a steaming glass of ‘Adrak Ki Chai.’ For those who don’t know, it is an Indian specialty of spiced ginger tea. Tea is extremely popular as a morning and also evening beverage throughout Asia. Though tea has less caffeine than our morning coffee, this particular version has a special revitalizing effect due to its spice content. So, ditch your common coffee or bland green tea, and make a cuppa full of this easy delicious homemade concoction. It works better than a blanket, truly!
Ingredients (1-2 servings):
• Water, 1 cup • Whole Milk, 1 cup • Black Tea Leaves of your choice, 3 teaspoons • Fresh Ginger, 1-inch piece • Sugar, as per taste
Method:
• First mix the milk and water in a deep pan and bring it to a boil. Low-fat milk can be used also, but full-creams heighten the taste.
• Cut ginger into very small pieces. You can also use a grater for this.
• When the milk and water mixture begins to boil and rise gradually, reduce the heat. Then add the ginger pieces or grated ginger.
• Let this mixture rise to a boil once again. At this moment, add the tea leaves. Allow the mixture to rise for one last time, and turn off the flame.
• Lastly, cover the tea and allow it to brew for another 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to over-boil the tea, as it can produce a bitter taste.
• Then filter the tea through a strainer and sugar as much or less as you want. You can add the sugar beforehand too while boiling the tea. Sugar substitutes like honey or agave can also be used.
Pro Tips:
• For the best flavor, use any strong tea like Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon, or Nilgiri. • There’s another secret spice mixture you can add to the tea to elevate its taste. Take a few cloves, 4-5 green cardamoms, and a little piece of cinnamon. Add all these with the ginger into the milk-water mixture. The final concoction will become the ‘Masala Chai’ or ultimate spiced tea, which will not only taste better but also cure common colds and coughs.