Recipe: Honey Chai Latte (and homemade Chai Concentrate)

HONEY CHAI LATTE

"Chai is a traditional Indian-inspired tea with a blend of spices. Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black peppercorns are melded together with black tea, honey and milk to produce an exotic beverage. Both clover and sourwood honeys have slightly spicy aromas which work well in this recipe."

FOR THE CHAI CONCENTRATE:
16 whole allspice berries
16 whole green cardamom pods (OR 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom)
6 whole black peppercorns
2 cinnamon sticks (2 inch pieces)
1 slice (1/4 inch thick) fresh ginger (OR 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
2 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons Darjeeling or other black tea leaves
2 tablespoons honey
FOR SERVING:
2 cups hot low-fat milk

TO PREPARE THE CHAI CONCENTRATE:
Coarsely grind whole spices separately in mortar and pestle or together in electric grinder.

In medium saucepan combine ground spices, ginger and water. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.

Add loose tea leaves and continue to simmer for 3 minutes (longer simmering will make the concentrate bitter).

Remove from heat; strain through fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into medium bowl. Add honey and stir to dissolve. Set aside until ready to serve. (Chai Concentrate may be prepared in advance and stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.)

TO SERVE:
Stir Chai Concentrate into hot milk. (For single serving of latte, stir 1/2 cup chai concentrate into 1/2 cup hot milk.)

Makes 4 servings
Source: National Honey Board