6th Post- How to make Chai

There are hundreds of ways tea leaves can be used, but the primary way tea leaves is used is by making tea. How that tea is prepared can range in many ways. However the absolute best way tea is prepared is by adding milk or soy which turns the tea into a hot drink called Chai, mainly drank by South Asians. The way to make it is simple, and the ingredients are easy to get a hold of too. But if you aren't fully aware of the tea through the process then there will be difficulties.

Materials/Tools:

Make sure the following items are in your reach before we begin the process

• Black Tea (½ tbsp per person)
• Water(1/2 cup per person)
• Milk/Soy(varies)
• Cinnamon(1)
• Sugar(varies)
• Cloves
• Cardamom
• Stove
• Boiling pot
• Strainer
• Container(bowl,tea container,etc)

Process:

To begin the process, first you should put the amount of necessary water into your boiling pot for your desired amount. After that you put the pot on the stove and turn the heat on maximum. Once the pot is on the stove, you can start adding the amount of tea leaves needed, then add your preferable amount of Cinnamon, Cardamom and Sugar. Now you need to wait for the water to boil so the herbs can fully blend together.

When the water starts to boil, it's best to leave it boiling for a couple seconds, then proceed by adding either milk or soy depending on your taste. If you want the tea to be stronger, then put enough of milk or soy until its dark brown, and if you want the tea to be lighter then put milk or soy until the color of the tea becomes light brown. By adding either milk or soy, the tea would have cooled down which requires you to heat it up again until it boils. This is the part where it is crucial to be paying attention to the tea. Because once the milk starts boiling, it has a tendency to overflow if your not paying attention. And once it does overflow, it leaves a tough stain that is difficult to take out.

As the tea starts to boil again, leave it boiling until it is almost about to overflow and take it off the heat so the tea goes down. Then put the tea back on the heat and let it boil again and do this for about two times.

After your done boiling the tea put a bowl, preferably metal, in front of you and strain the tea and herbs out of the hot liquid and throw it away. Once the herbs are out of the Chai, let the tea cool down since it will be really hot. Once its cool down, serve into proper cups and enjoy your home made Chai.

Even though there are several ways tea can be made depending on how you want it. But if you want it hot,sweet, and revitalizing then there's nothing better than making a hot cup of Chai.