For Two Cups of Chai

2 cups water

4 cardamom pods (crushed in Pestle and Mortal or with hammer inside cloth)

Bring water and cardamom to boil for 3-5 minutes.

Add 2 teaspoons of loose black tea or two black tea bags (Lipton is fine, Darjeeling, or English Breakfast).

Boil only until water darkens nicely about, usually no more than 30 seconds, (if you boil too long tea will become very bitter).

Then add 1/3 cup of milk and bring to boil again for 1-2 more minutes.

Turn off and before straining into cups add desired amount of sugar and stir to dissolve or strain into each cup and allow each person to add their own amount of sugar. Traditionally Chai is pre-sweetened by the person making it unless a request has been made prior not to pre-add sugar. In India, gur may by used, which is straight from the sugar cane without much processing. Enjoy with salty and/or sweet snack.

Recipe by Atma Kaur Khalsa 9/15/2007