Homemade Chai Masala Spice Mix
SWEET AND SPICY TEACHER GIFTS THAT ARE SURE TO EARN YOU THE A+
As the school semester comes to a close, hardworking teachers are as ready for the holiday break as their students. Busy parents, however, have one more task on their “to do” lists: teacher gifts!
This year, try this unique, simple and homemade gift that your kids can easily make with minimal mess and a little bit of guidance from you—and, bonus, it can be made well ahead of the holiday rush.
Now ubiquitous in coffeehouses throughout the United States (and the world), Masala Chai, as we know it, originated on the Indian subcontinent. Even though wild tea plants have grown in the Assam region of India since ancient times, black tea, often with added herbs and spices, was largely reserved for medicinal purposes until the British-owned India Tea Association launched a campaign in the early 1900s to increase consumption by encouraging Indian factories, mills and mines to offer their employees a regular “break”—accompanied by tea, of course. The tea was served in the English style, laden with milk and sugar, but soon enough Indian vendors began adding their own spices and, thus, the “Masala” was born. Since the actual tea was the most expensive ingredient in the beverage, thrift y chai wallahs, or traditional street vendors, added as much milk, sweetener and spice mix as they could.
Today, Masala Chai is a cultural staple in India. It is a social beverage, shared in the morning, afternoon and evening, before a big day, after a big day, during family gatherings, or most any time. From generation to generation, families create and serve their own unique riff on the traditional flavors. Some stick with a mix of cardamom and ginger, while others might add in cinnamon or star anise.
In addition to their aromas that fill your home with heavenly scents, each of the spices has its own beneficial quality. Cardamom is a mood enhancer, cloves have antiseptic properties, black pepper stimulates digestion and cinnamon aids circulation. Feel free to create your own recipe, too, using this one as a guide.
TO:
FROM:
Masala Chai Spice Mix
ADD ½ TO 1 TEASPOON OF MIX (DEPENDING ON HOW SPICY YOU LIKE YOUR TEA) TO 8 OUNCES OF THE WARM MILK OF YOUR CHOICE (OR HALF WATER AND HALF MILK) AND 1 TEA BAG OF BLACK TEA AND ALLOW TO STEEP. ADD A SWEETENER OF YOUR CHOICE, TO TASTE.
MAY ALSO BE ADDED TO COLD MILK AND ICE FOR AN ICED CHAI LATTE, OR SPRINKLED IN PANCAKE OR WAFFLE BATTER TO SPICE UP BREAKFAST.
