Make Chai: Tulsi Chai

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Photo by Howard Lee Puckett
In India, Tulsi Chai, made from holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), is used to treat colds and reduce stress.

<p>
<em>Serves 2<br />
</em>
<br />
In a pinch, sweet basil can be subsituted for holy basil.</p>
<p>• ½ cup holy basil leaves<br />
• 2 cups cold water<br />
• 2 heaping teaspoons green tea<br />
• Seed of 1 cardamom pod<br />
• One 1?4-inch-thick slice fresh ginger<br />
• One 2-inch cinnamon stick, broken<br />
• 2 whole cloves<br />
• Pinch of nutmeg<br />
• 1 tablespoon honey<br />
• Milk, to taste</p>
<p>1. In small saucepan, boil basil and water. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in tea, spices and honey: bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and steep 3 minutes.</p>
<p>2. Pour mixture through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Serve with milk. Garnish with skewered crystallized ginger cubes, fresh basil leaves and grated nutmeg.</p>
<p>
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<p>
<em>Garden writer and editor Vicki Mattern has been communicating the beauty and usefulness of plants for more than 20 years. She lives in eastern Pennsylvania.</em>
</p>
<p>Click here for the main article, <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/make-chai-3-recipes.aspx”>
<strong>Make Chai: 3 Recipes</strong>
</a>.</p>

  • Published on Nov 10, 2009
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