Chai Tea

I love tea.  I have learned though over the years, and with lots of trial and error, that I don't like all teas.  I am primarily a green or a white tea drinker, that loves spice and fruity flavors.  I stay away from the Lipton teas (no offense - just don't really like the black tea flavor) and any of the black tea - if I am drinking it straight.  If you are one that says, "Ugh. Tea!" take another look - try a different type... experiment.  Tea has so many benefits that you are crazy not to give it another try.  In March I wrote a post about the benefits of teas.. start there with your experimentation..
I have a beautiful friend that has a tea site online (www.konitea.com.)  She has a blog she writes with recipes, ideas, how to use tea in your cooking, etc.. She has a beautiful outlook on life and some great ideas for you to try!  My favorite tea is Chai.  I love cinnamon, cloves, and all the warm spices... I have a hard time finding the proper blend for me - Phuong has several options and I am going to add several more below for you to try.

Phuong's options for loose leaf chai teas:  https://www.konitea.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=chai&osCsid=65ijo0n9irhcd9rpso227j7t74&Submit=Search
Phuong's blended chai latte recipe: http://www.theteachick.com/2010/12/30/Masala-Chai-Latte
Phuong's aphrodisiac chai cake recipe: http://www.theteachick.com/2011/07/23/Koni-Aphrodisiac-Chai-Cake

Chai tea is a combination of either green or black tea leaves and a variety of warming spices - cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, licorice, cardamom, etc... The health benefits are quite numerous when you think of all the spices that you add to your Chai concoction. 

Gentle Green Chai
This is a yummy variation of kahwah, a Kashmiri green tea that serves two.
• 1½ cups cold water
• 2 heaping teaspoons green tea
• Seed of 1 cardamom pod
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 strands saffron (optional)
• 6 blanched almonds, chopped
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
1. Combine water, tea, spices and almonds in small saucepan. Cook over low heat until hot (do not boil). Partially cover; steep over low heat 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in milk and honey.
2. Pour through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Serve.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/make-chai-gentle-green-chai.aspx#ixzz1dnMUVRd6

Basic Black Chai
If you prefer, omit the milk and sugar and offer them separately.  Or try soy / almond / rice milk as an alternative.  Serves two.
• 1½ cups cold water
• One 2-inch piece cinnamon stick, broken
• 2 heaping teaspoons black tea
• Seed of 3 cardamom pods
• One ¼-inch-thick slice fresh ginger
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 black peppercorns
• ¼ to ½ cup milk
• 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey)
1. Bring water to a boil in small saucepan. Add cinnamon, cover, remove from heat; steep 2 minutes. Return pan to heat; bring to a boil. Add tea, spices, milk and sugar; cover, and remove from heat. Steep 3 minutes.
2. Pour mixture through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/make-chai-basic-black-chai.aspx#ixzz1dnMvYlBr

Tulsi Chai
In India, Tulsi Chai, made from holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), is used to treat colds and reduce stress.  Sweet Basil can replace the Holy Basil if none is available.  Serves two.
• ½ cup holy basil leaves
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 heaping teaspoons green tea
• Seed of 1 cardamom pod
• One 1⁄4-inch-thick slice fresh ginger
• One 2-inch cinnamon stick, broken
• 2 whole cloves
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Milk, to taste
1. In small saucepan, boil basil and water. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in tea, spices and honey: bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and steep 3 minutes.
2. Pour mixture through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Serve with milk. Garnish with skewered crystallized ginger cubes, fresh basil leaves and grated nutmeg.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/make-chai-tulsi-chai.aspx#ixzz1dnT0Gp5U

Hot Chai Latte

By: RILEYCARLSON
"A delicious, warm, old-fashioned style Chai Tea. With yummy spices, and authentic flavors, it's bound to be a hit with the whole family!"

Ingredients

* 1 cup milk
* 1 cup water
* 1 large strip of orange peel
* 3 whole cloves
* 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
* 3 whole black peppercorns
* 1 pinch ground nutmeg
* 4 teaspoons white sugar
* 2 teaspoons black tea leaves

Directions

Combine the milk and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once this mixture has warmed, place the orange peel, cloves, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, nutmeg, sugar and tea leaves into the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the color deepens to your liking. Strain out spices, and pour into cups.

Nutritional Information Per Serving Calories: 111 | Total Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 10mgPowered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Read More: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/hot-chai-latte/detail.aspx

Health Benefits: Antioxidants abound in Chai tea.  Warming spices are always beneficial to migraines, muscle aches, digestive tract, respiratory system, and your heart.  Why would you not give this flavorful, aromatic tea a try?  Blessings... E

Tea Benefits

There are so many nutritional benefits to tea I cannot name them all.  Let's discuss the different types of tea, the benefits of tea, and where to get your best teas.  I have friends that know much more than I do about tea - so if I am wrong with any of the information I provide - I KNOW they will set us all straight!  :)  Here are the most common types of tea.

Black Tea - Goes through the most processing.  Tea leaves are picked and set out to wilt in the sun.  Then, they are twisted and crushed to ferment and fully oxidize in the sun.  This process changes the color of the leaves black when complete.  There are different types of black tea - typically named for the region in which the tea is grown (i.e. darjeeling, assam, and ceylon).  Black tea has a stronger, sometimes more bitter flavor and higher caffeine levels than other types of tea.

Oolong Tea - Is a hybrid of Black and Green tea.  It is also wilted but only partially oxidized.  There is a wide range of Oolong teas some almost black, some almost green. 



Mighty Athena - Green Tea



Green Tea - There are two different types of green tea.  Primarily the Chinese variety is roasted to dry the leaves.  And the Japanese style to steam dry the leaves.  Green tea leaves do not go through the fermentation stage like black and oolong teas.  Green tea has a grassier / flowerier flavor and fragrance and much lower caffeine levels.

White Tea - Is the least processed of all tea.  The top leaves and bud are picked very early in the season while the white hairs are still on the plant and the bud has not opened yet.  They are not fermented, nor are they roasted / steam dried but let dry naturally in the sun.  The flavor is much more delicate and sweeter than any other type of tea and is often mixed with fruit.  It has the lowest amount of caffeine.

Herbal Tea - Is a combination of herbs, flowers, and fruits - anything except tea leaves.  Herbal teas are typically used to heal maladies. 

Up until recently, I have always gone to the store and chosen a variety of different prepackaged teas - usually green, white or herbal.  My cousin introduced me to Phuong Le a master Tea Craftsman.  And OH MY GOSH!  I had no idea what I had been missing out on... all these years wasted! :)  To enjoy her fabulous teas, you will need a diffuser - she has them on her site too.  AH-MAZING!  I can't say enough.  Her teas are all organic and hand crafted. 

So, what are the benefits of tea?  Tea has a high concentration of antioxidants.  White tea having the highest concentration.  High in Vitamin C which boosts immune system and helps promote healthy skin.  Tea contains polyphenol which fights certain cancers.  It is known to soothe the digestive tract.  Tea lowers cholesterol, boosts metabolism, and regulates blood sugar levels.  It is also a detoxifier and a stress reliever.

Visit Phuong's site - my favorite so far is definitely Mighty Athena - but I am trying new ones every day!  She has new combinations that were just released... enjoy!!  http://www.iloveono.com/

Thank you Tracie for introducing me to Phuong.  And to Phuong, thank you for the bright and shining star you are - you are a good role model for us all.  Blessings...E