The perfect cup of tea

I have an awesome relationship with food. If living is loving and feeding is giving for living then eating is love making and I love to eat. I love to eat so much that when I get full, I go through partial depression because I cannot put another portion of wonderful food in my mouth to satiate my tongues desire to make out with a piece of toast lathered with butter, warm, melting with a slightly salty hint to it.

I am a fan of flavours with nuts, chocolate and coffee topping the list, my favourite textures are a mix of crunch and gooey just like a chocolate fudge brownie, delicate yet tough in bits and pieces. Little hints of character with every bite.

The latest add to my list of favourite snacks is a chocolate coated date stuffed with pistachio nuts. Wonderfully this snack can be made without a hint of sugar. A treat that makes for a starter, a snack, a meal or dessert had with a cup of tea.

 Tea is the elixir of life.

A sip can calm or wake you,  make or break you. You sip it slowly while thinking or conversing, over or after a meal or in between. Start or end your day with tea.

It is for this reason that, I chose to share with you the recipe for the perfect cup of tea (by me).

Chai Tea

Chai tea is called thus because it has spice in it. But Chai is a Chinese word and spicing tea is an Indian practice…apparently. But I find many Indian folk I know little about chai tea or making it. Being of coastal origin with  heavy Arab influence, I would almost  bet that the origins of the worlds popular chai is in fact middle eastern, but I divulge.

Ingredients:

A 5 finger pinch 50g fresh ginger root

About half a cup (100ml) water

About just over half a cup (150ml) milk

A five finger pinch  (1/2 teaspoon) of powdered cardamon

2 five finger pinches (1 teaspoon or 2 tea bags) of ceylon tea

Instructions

1. Bring the ginger and cardamon to boil in water
2. Add the tea and let it boil until the colour comes out
3. Add the milk and bring to boil or until the milk rises
4. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes
5. Serve hot, sweeten as desired.
6. Enjoy