I was going to go blueberry picking today but it's been raining all day. Instead I was able to clean my house, complete some very important secretarial work for my husband (partially true), finish up the laundry and make a batch of this chai tea concentrate.

 Yes, I know. Another recipe about chai.

Here's the thing. I was talking to one of my many sisters about getting more cinnamon into our diets. I mentioned that chai tea is a super healthy tea that has the cinnamon plus lots of other spices that are really good for you. And guess what she had the gall to tell me?! She apparently doesn't care for chai. Well humph I say! 

In my little attempt to change her mind, here is a chai tea concentrate (unlike the loose leaf chai I usually make) that can be easily tweaked. Basically I was trying to appeal to a taste I think she likes, almond extract. Plus, this is easy to have on hand, since you can make a big batch and keep it in the fridge. Delicious hot or iced!

 Almond Chai Tea Concentrate

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups water

• 8 teaspoons black tea

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 teaspoons dried ginger root

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 8 cardamom pods

• 1 whole nutmeg slightly crushed

• 2 whole star anise pods

• 1/2 teaspoon of whole black peppercorn

• 1/4 cup raw honey

• 1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla if you prefer)

Directions:

Pour the water into a saucepan and add all of the ingredients EXCEPT the honey and extract. Turn the heat on high and bring to a boil. Immediately once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, covered. 

Then get your handy quart sized mason jar, put a towel and rubber band over it and strain the mixture through. If you didn't use ground ginger or nutmeg a strainer would work fine. Otherwise you will get little gritty spices in your drink which I don't particularly care for.

Stir in the honey till dissolved and lastly add your extract.You can drink this hot or cold.

When you're ready for a cup, add your choice of milk to taste.  

Where to Purchase the Ingredients

I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog! By purchasing through one of my affiliate links you will not spend a penny more, but you are allowing me to receive a small commission. This allows me to keep posting great content for you. Thanks for your support!

If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:

·        Starwest Botanicals

·        Mountain Rose Herbs

Variations:

• If you don't have access to the whole spices, powdered will work. Just use about 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ginger,1/2 teaspoon cloves, 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Personally that doesn't taste as good to me, but if that's all you have it will work. It can also leave a little “sludge” behind which is a turn-off for me.

• Depending on my mood sometimes I will add a little orange peel or rose hips or whatever else I'm in the mood for. Occasionally I will even add some echinacea root to boost my immune system. Be creative.

• If you are watching your sugar intake, stevia works well as the sweetener.

• If you would prefer a caffeine free version, or just for fun, you can add red rooibos instead of the black tea. Same amount. It's delicious!!!

• Using 1 teaspoon allspice instead of the star anise will yield less of a licorice taste which some people prefer.

• If you'd like to make a second batch and really get good use out of the herbs, after straining the herbs off, simply add the herbs back into the saucepan with some more water. It's not quite as concentrated, but still very flavorful.