There's something so comforting about a warm cup or mug of tea. I love the way some mugs fit so perfectly into one's hands, and how classical little tea cups sit so primly on their scalloped saucers, daring you to actually use them. Personal brewing teapots are so charming. I do adore my French presses but sometimes tea is the only thing that fits the bill of calming, warm, soothing, and the perfect companion to a book, work, or words.
Healthy choices: always get dairy, especially milk, from a good source. Most dairy operations are filthy, filthy places and as a result the products that come out of milk from such places end up being heavily processed. Milk from a good, clean source (hint words: pastured, grass-fed) is absolutely essential, but if you cannot find such opt for organic nut milks with as short of an ingredient list as possible and free of things you cannot pronounce or find in your pantry.
This is how I like to make spiced black tea, also known as Masala Chai, which literally means "mixed spiced tea" in Hindi. A good friend of mine (you know who you are. Call me.) made this for me one morning, and I've been seriously hooked ever since. Water, milk of the animal or nut kind, honey, and one really good organic black chai is all you need. I usually will use more milk than water, and whole, organic grass-fed milk is my first choice when I can get it.
Masala Chai finds its roots in South Asia, but you can enjoy it from wherever you are. I don't use official measuring instruments when making this. It is tea. You make it as you like.
Milk & Honey Black Chai
Servings: 1
water
organic milk
1 organic chai teabag (made with black tea)
raw honey
Heat water and milk together until hot. Place teabag in a small personal teapot or a large mug. Pour in heated milk mixture and stir in honey. Brew for 3+ minutes. Drink.
When the weather starts getting really warm, I'll tell you guys how to make this as a tall, icy drink.
