Chai Glop

I really like chai, and I also really like the sweet "chai latte" mixes you can get at the grocery store -- stuff like this. Unfortunately, the local grocery no longer carries the decaf version, and this is something I generally like to drink in the evening, with dinner. So, symbol set out to re-create the chai glop experience.

After a few iterations, this is what the recipe looks like. It's easy to prepare in large batches and then keep in a mason jar in the fridge, and like the commercial glop, needs no further preparation -- just mix with milk and drink.

Ingredients for 2C water:

• 5 orange pekoe tea bags
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 20 cardamom pods
• 16 black peppercorns
• 1 star anise
• 4 cloves
• 1/2 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp jaggery
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Procedure

1. In a small pot, bring the water to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and add all the other ingredients.
3. Steep for five minutes.
4. Remove the tea bags.
5. Pour everything else into a mason jar and store, refrigerated, for up to a week.

Removing the teabags after a few minutes prevents it from becoming bitter; leaving the other ingredients in means it will keep steeping in the fridge and become stronger.

To use, pour through a strainer and mix 1:1-1:3 with milk; one 2C batch of glop will make 1-2L of drink depending on how strong you want it.