Cosy chai

O the weather outside is frightful, but chai is quite delightful.

When you’re looking to cosy up indoors, it’s worth taking a bit of time to brew yourself a warming, spicy chai. Not only will you be able to cosy up with a comforting, health-boosting mug; you’ll also be gently scenting your home with a seasonal spicy aroma.

We’d love to be outdoors with the plants, but sometimes we’re better to have the plants indoors with us.

Here’s a simple way to make a cosy chai:

Ingredients

2 cups water

1 cup milk (almond milk is lovely, or use your milk of choice)

6 cardamom pods

6 black peppercorns

6 cloves

a slice of fresh ginger

a slice of orange peel

a small cinnamon stick

a tablespoon of black tea (or two teabags)

Method

Crush the cardamom pods, peppercorns and cloves in a pestle and mortar (or whatever means you have to hand).

Chop the ginger and orange peel into small pieces and break up the cinnamon stick.

Put everything except the tea into a small pan and gently bring to the boil, then simmer for ten minutes.

Meanwhile, use boiling water from the kettle to warm your teapot. Put the black tea, or teabags, into the warmed pot.

When ready, pour the spicy, milky brew into the teapot, over the black tea. Pop on a cosy and leave to infuse for 20 minutes.

If you don’t have a cosy to hand, carefully wrap the pot in a towel while it infuses, it really does help to keep the warmth in there.

Pour (through a tea strainer) and sweeten with honey, or your preferred alternative.