The Masala Chai I am using is a blend of Assam and Darjeeling tea, ginger root, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper and cinnamon. Adivasi makes an amazing blend of this tea, which on its own is distinctive: http://www.adivasi.com/adivasi/retailProducts.php?linkid=17 You can mix up a blend of your own. To make a batch of your own tea blend, add about 3 oz. each of the Assam and Darjeeling tea leaves with 3 tbl. of dried finely grated ginger root, 4 crushed green cardamom pods , 6 ground clove heads, 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg, 6 ground peppercorns, and 1 tsp. ground cinnamon stick. Tailor the spices to your taste to make this distinctive; otherwise it may be too bland...or find Adivasi's blend! Use a heaping tablespoon or so for each serving. Usually you think of a chai as milky, but I like the use of lemon here instead. Add a varietal honey, Meyer's lemon and your favorite cognac brandy, and this winter warmer will soothe away whatever ails you. - Sagegreen

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