Back to Basics- Ginger, Cinnamon and Everything Nice Spice Tea Recipe (The Perfect Chai Tea Base) (2024)

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A few weeks ago I went out to tea with a client and had one of the most delicious cups of tea that I’ve ever experienced. It was hot, spicy and delicious. The spices tickled my tongue and hit me in just the right spot in my throat. The mix of ginger, cinnamon and black pepper was divine… and then my pot of tea was done, and it was time to drive home, and I felt a little bit panicked that I would probably never taste that tea again (the cafe was about an hours drive from my house).

So what did I do? I came home, bought a bunch of spices, dehydrated some ginger, and tested, tested and tested again until I got the PERFECT blend of tea. The funny thing is, there isn’t actually any tea in this “tea” it’s just a blend of spices, BUT it’s delicious on it’s own or would make a delightful base for a cup of chai!

So, what are we waiting for? Pull out your spice grinder, roll up your sleeves and let’s get started blending our own custom tea!

What you need:

• Coffee or Spice Grinder (alternatively you canbreak the spices usinga mortar and pestle)
• 4 tablespoons of chopped dehydrated ginger (You can see my instructions for dehydrating ginger here.)
• 3- 6 inch cinnamon sticks
• 3 teaspoons of whole black pepper
• 2 teaspoons of clove
• 2 teaspoons of cardamon
• 1 teaspoon of all spice

Instructions:

• Using a sharp knife chop up dehydrated ginger. You want the ginger to be roughly chopped into small chunks around the size of the head of a thumbtack. Measure out 4 tablespoons and pour into a bowl.
• Take 3, 6 inch pieces of cinnamon and break them up into small pieces. I did this by hitting the cinnamon stick with the back of a chef’s knife and then breaking it into small pieces. Transfer the cinnamon into your spice grinder, give it a few pulses to break the cinnamon into a similar size as your ginger and then pour it into the bowl.
• Measure 3 tablespoons of whole black pepper, 2 teaspoons of clove, 2 teaspoons of cardamon and 1 teaspoon of all spice. Put it into the spice grinder and give it 2 or 3 pulses. You just want to crack these ingredients to release the oils, you don’t want to grind them. Add these ingredients in with the cinnamon and ginger.
• Mix your ingredients so they are well incorporated.
• To make a cup of Ginger, Cinnamon and Everything Nice Spice Tea, heat water, put 1 tablespoon of tea into your tea diffuser and let brew. When I had the tea that inspired this recipe they put the tea into the teapot and left it there as I drank the tea. The longer the tea sat the more flavorful and delicious it became. I suggest doing the same thing. I usually let mine brew for at least 10 minutes before drinking.
• Store leftover tea in an airtight container.

Cheers friends!

Tell me… What is your favorite type of tea? Have you ever tried making your own blend of tea at home?