Recipe for Indian Tea / Chai

I know everyone has their own recipe for tea where the order of adding milk, or sugar or tea leaves changes. There are many permutation of adding those ingredients.

This is mine and I think it really works everytime (if I pay attention to it). 

1) Put water for boiling. Grate good amount of ginger (grate not crush - the taste is better if you grate) 

2) Let the water boil. Add Sugar. (or jaggery as jaggery tastes better)

3) Add tea leaves

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Let it boil for a bit - till you see the true colors of tea leaves

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4) Now add milk and let the tea boil completely till the milk threatens to overflow. At that stage, put it in simmer for 1 minute and turn the stove off.

5) (Optional and avoidable) If you like cardamom in your tea - this is the stage to add. Crush one and add. If you add early -the cardamom's taste becomes too strong and over powering.

6) Whether you added cardamom or not- cover the tea and let it cool for 3-4 minutes. This really enhances the flavor and brings the tea temperature below boiling point.

7) Pour in a cup and drink :).

P.S - Trivia - Do you know that even Russians call their tea chai :).