I’m on this merry-go-round with coffee.

I drink it.

I love it.

I drink too much.

My body gets all sorts of anxiety and stress build up.

Then I stop. Cold turkey. Usually for around 3ish months.

It’s fine when I stop and don’t really miss it too much. Then around month 3 I decide to order one coffee. Its either a test, or the fact I’m fed up with the very average tea selections in most cafe’s (but that is a rant for another day). Straight back on the bandwagon of daily cups I go.

I know my body too. The benefits of not drinking the coffee far outweigh the benefits of drinking it. I feel better, I sleep better, I wake up better, my energy is better, I handle stress easier, to name a few.

It’s funny though that the thing that is the best for us is often the hardest thing to do.

Making your own masala chai tea concentrate 

Drinking masala chai tea is one of my favourite ways to crowd out the coffee.

There’s also something so beautiful about drinking tea in the morning. Especially as we enter these cooler months.

Tea is a ritual.

The process involved in itself is as filling to my soul as the cup of chai I drink.

How to make masala chai tea concentrate

Ingredients

• 12 cinnamon sticks

• 1/3 cup cardamon pods

• Scant 1/4 cup black peppercorns

• 1/4 cup cloves

• 1/4 cup coriander seeds

• 4 star anise

• 3 litres water

Method

1. Place all spices in a big pot.

2. Cover with water and bring to boil.

3. Reduce to a simmer, with the lid off.

4. Leave chai concentrate to bubble away and reduce to half. Around 2 – 2.5 hours.
   You want to make a really strong concentrate. If the concentrate is too weak, you’ll need more chai concentrate which will result in a watery masala chai.

5. Strain chai concentrate into a jar and store in the fridge.

How to make masala chai tea

Makes 1 serve

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup masala chai concentrate

• 3/4 cup milk of choice

• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup

Method

1. In a small pot, add masala chai concentrate, milk and maple syrup.

2. Heat gently over a low heat and stir to combine.

Recipe inspired by My New Roots – Masala Chai Tea Time