Hello Tea Lovers! 

I love tea and drink it daily.  Tea can be as simple as a few fresh mint leaves steeped in hot water, a solitary moment just for you.  Tea can also be a fancy formal occasion with many friends and tiny sandwiches!  This recipe has become a favorite in my diverse circle of friends and family.  It has a lot of ingredients, but I promise it's worth the effort. 

A fun way to do it is to buy bulk ingredients and measure little premade spice pouches with a tea bag, to give as gifts.  This way your friends can make the tea at home just by adding water and "milk."  I often like to make a double batch and freeze half! 

It's a wonderful, spicy, warms-the-soul kind of beverage your heart will fall in love with.  :)

Heavenly Chocolate Chai Tea

1-2 cups Water

1 cup organic Almond Milk (I like Vanilla for this recipe)

1 bag Strong Black Tea (like PG Tips or Tetley's)

2 tsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

2 Whole Cloves or Allspice

3 Cardamom Pods

1 Cinnamon Stick

1 Star Anise (Optional)

12 Black Peppercorns

1 Bay Leaf

1 small pinch Turmeric

1 small pinch Ground Ginger

1 small pinch Cayenne Pepper (optional)

1 small pinch Nutmeg (ground or fresh grated)

1-2 tbsp Sugar, Honey or Agave Syrup

1/2 tsp Almond, Olive or Coconut Oil

Intentional Love and Blessings :)

Over low heat, combine all spices in a pot, warm for one minute.  Add oil and just enough liquid to cover bottom of pot, bring to boil.  Add remaining liquids, sweetener and tea bag. 

Simmer three to five minutes, depending on how strong you like it.  Add or subtract liquids to make it thinner or richer, as desired.  Some like their chai watery and lightly sweetened.  I like mine creamy and super sweet.  Please adjust the recipe to meet your needs.  :) 

Don't forget to infuse your chai with love and intentional blessings!  Bless the tea as your prepare it, and all who drink it will be nourished by these blessings.  That is the magic ingredient in this Heavenly recipe, LOVE! ;)

Strain tea and serve hot in beautiful cups.  Dust with cocoa powder, cinnamon or grated dark chocolate if you like it fancy-pants.  Enjoy!

*For a more basic, non-chocolately version of this tea, omit the cocoa powder, cayenne, cloves, allspice, anise and bay leaf.  Prepare as usual.

Thank you for supporting BuddhasDelight!  Happy Tea Sipping... ;)