Chai update

 Since our little spice shop closed due to the pandemic, we've had to come up with another option for our mulling spices that we use to make chai.  A trip to the Asian market and picking up some allspice from Bijou and we were set.  

Here's what we are doing now, adapted from Gimme some Oven

Same recipe as before 

hunk of ginger

4 black tea bags

4 cups of water

3 allspice berries, lightly crushed

12 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

ground nutmeg, as much as you like 

8-10 cloves

3 black peppercorn, if you want it

star anise (starting out with 1/2 until the kids tell me they don't like it) 

2-3-4 crushed cinnamon sticks (the ones from the market were HUGE)

Bring to a simmer with the lid on and then turn off the heat

Let steep 15 mins

Strain through a strainer and add

vanilla extract

1/3 cup sugar