Equipment
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- 12 green cardamom pods
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 2 tsp whole allspice
- 1/2 tsp peppercorns
- 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
- 5 cinnamon sticks, chopped in half
- 4 inches dried ginger root, roughly chopped
- 1 whole nutmeg, chopped
- 3 cups water
- 2 star anise
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (put the whole thing in)
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 bags black tea
Method
- Place the cardamom pods, cloves, allspice, peppercorns and fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle and crush them until the cardamom pods crack open and the rest look somewhat crushed (or you can also place them on a cutting board and smash them with the side of a large knife).12 green cardamom pods, 1 tsp whole cloves, 2 tsp whole allspice, 1/2 tsp peppercorns, 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
- Dump the crushed spices, cinnamon sticks, ginger and nutmeg in a bottom heavy pot. Over low-medium heat, toast the spice for 2 minutes. Add the water and turn the heat up to high to bring the water to a boil.5 cinnamon sticks chopped in half, 4 inches dried ginger root roughly chopped, 1 whole nutmeg chopped, 3 cups water
- Remove the pot from the heat, add in the star anise, vanilla bean, orange zest and brown sugar and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the water to steep for 20-30 minutes. You can taste it and if you want it spicier, let it steep for another 10 minutes or so.2 star anise, 1 vanilla bean split and scraped (put the whole thing in), 1 tsp orange zest, 1/4 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- Once you like the spice level, bring the water back to a boil and then remove it from the heat again. Add the two tea bags, cover with a lid and let it steep for another 5-10 minutes (if it steeps longer, the tea will get bitter).2 bags black tea
- Strain the water into a clean jar and use as desired. I recommend equal parts concentrate and milk.
Notes
If you use fresh ginger instead of dried, I would use just 2 inches and add it in after the water has already boiled and is only steeping.
If you use vanilla extract, use 2 tsp and add it at the end after you strain everything out.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 10gSodium: 10mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7g
