This homemade Yogi Chai Tea will quickly become one of your go-to cozy teas on those cold winter nights when you need an extra dose of comfort!
I had every intention of sitting down at the computer today to blog about one of my recent adventures to a state or national park.
But then the rain came. And rainy, lazy Sunday afternoons are one of my most favorite things on earth.
I brewed up a cup of Adagio Earl Grey Bravo loose leaf tea in my Breville Tea Maker.
And while sitting here sipping my tea and watching the rain, I was reminded of all the tea making adventures I’ve had in the kitchen over the years.
My experience is that trying new things is a great way to find adventure in the everyday, and so when adventure seems really far away, I often wander into the kitchen to try a new recipe!
In fact, I once made a commitment to try one new recipe every month for a year. I made stovetop potpourri, turmeric milk, spiced chai almond milk, cold brew coffee, overnight oats, and so many other great recipes! I didn’t travel at all that year, but I felt constantly renewed and refreshed from getting creative in the kitchen and trying something new!
One of my favorite discoveries has been making traditional Chai tea on the stovetop!
Why I Love Stovetop Tea
I originally found a stovetop tea recipe over at Yoga With Adriene, but you’ll find this very traditional Chai Tea recipe all over the Internet with slight variations.
Sometimes you’ll also see it affectionately called Yogi Tea, since this specific combination of ingredients was created by Yogi Bhajan and shared with his yoga students in the early 1960s.
While I adore my Breville Tea Maker and still love certain brands of regular tea bags, there is something really therapeutic about making tea the old fashioned way on the stove. It forces you to slow down, be present, and enjoy the process.
Why This Homemade Yogi Tea is the BEST
I can’t sing the praises of this tea enough! Not only is it SO beneficial for your health, but it’s also incredibly delicious and comforting.
You can tweak it to be as caffeinated or spicy as you want it to be.
{And as a coffee drinker, I’m here to testify that it gives you a good caffeine boost! I’ve often considered replacing my morning coffee with this delicious tea full of anti-inflammatory properties.}
I’ve passed this recipe on to friends and family, and everyone loves it!
The best part of this tea is the process, though. I love pinching each cardamom pod between my fingers, feeling the peppercorns roll around in the palm of my hand, and smelling the strong fragrance of freshly sliced ginger. Mmmm.
Oh, and the SMELL. Get ready for your house to smell like pure heaven! This recipe is perfect for the holiday season because of the wonderful spicy aroma that will fill your home. It’s also very comforting during the chilly fall months.
Here’s how I love to make my Stovetop Yogi Tea, but feel free to play around with the ingredients to find your perfect cup of tea!
Homemade Stovetop Yogi Chai Tea
Makes 8 cups of tea (or 4-5 big mugs of tea)
Ingredients:
- One teabag of any black tea of your preference (I use Tazo Awake English Breakfast Tea)
- 4 Cinnamon Sticks
- 10 Fresh Ginger Slices (I don’t peel mine)
- 20 Black Peppercorns
- 20 Whole Cloves
- 20 Cardamom Pods (split each pod)
- 8-9 Cups of Water (a bit might boil off while it’s simmering)
Directions:
- Fill a large pot with 8-9 cups of water.
- Boil the water.
- While the water is boiling, prep your ingredients:
- Count out what you need of each ingredient.
- Slice the fresh ginger (no need to peel).
- Split the cardamom pods slightly by laying each pod on a cutting board and pressing down slightly with the flat edge of a knife until it splits open.
- Once the water is boiling, add each ingredient one at a time. (I love slowly adding each ingredient and watching the water turn into a beautiful amber color!)
- Finally, add the tea bag.
- Cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes.
- Using a fine mesh colander, strain the tea into a new pot. Use a ladle to serve in a mug!
- Add sweeteners and creamers to your desired taste.
- Store remaining tea in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips:
- Be sure to play around with the ingredients to find the perfect tea for you! Everyone has slightly different tastes.
- You can let the tea brew for much longer than 30 minutes — even a couple of hours. Just know it will increase the caffeine levels quite a bit! If you like really spicy Chai, you can always add the spices and let that brew for a longer time and then add the tea bag closer to the end.
- When simmering, I typically adjust the heat until it’s just slightly at a simmer but not boiling so much that it will overflow out of the pot. This allows me to walk away and enjoy the aroma throughout the house while it’s simmering!
- You should be able to find all the ingredients at your regular grocery story, with the exception of cardamom pods. I bought this pack on Amazon and it’s lasted me 2+ years!
- Be sure to add sweetener and creamer to taste!
- You can totally drink this iced during the warm summer months! Just store in a pitcher in the fridge and pour over ice!
I love to drink mine with a splash of almond or soy milk and a heaping teaspoon of maple syrup. Yum!!
It’s also really delicious with honey and half and half, vanilla creamer and raw sugar, or just a splash of coconut milk. Have fun playing around with it and figuring out what tastes best for you!
Next time you’re looking for a slice of adventure on a lazy Sunday afternoon, try this delicious Homemade Yogi Tea!
Looking for more everyday adventure?
Check out these 7 simple ideas for chasing down adventure in your own life!
May your life be an adventure today and always…
