Warming Winter Chai: Ayurvedic Tradition

Winter is in full swing, and what could be more comforting than warming your hands with a fragrant cup of chai? As part of my Ayurvedic mentorship, where I'm delving into seasonal wisdom, I'm gaining a deeper appreciation for this traditional Indian drink. While I love a chai latte from my favorite coffee shop, sadly much of the original Ayurvedic wisdom gets lost among the sugars and artificial additives. Today, I'm excited to share the authentic recipe with you - perfect for bringing balance to your body and mind during these cold months.

The Challenge of Winter

In Ayurveda, the 5000+ year-old health science from India, winter is characterized by two dominant energies: vata and kapha. Vata brings cold and dryness, which can lead to restlessness and sleep problems. Kapha brings heaviness and moisture, which can manifest as lethargy and decreased energy.

A warming chai can help balance these energies. The warming spices stimulate digestion and bring movement to the heavy kapha energy, while the creamy milk and sweet honey soften the dry vata energy.

A Cup Full of Wisdom

Each ingredient in this chai is carefully chosen to support your body:

• Ginger and black pepper warm and stimulate digestion

• Cinnamon and cardamom have a grounding effect

• Cloves and star anise bring warmth and depth

• Fennel seeds calm and harmonize

The Recipe

This recipe makes 2 large mugs of chai.

What you'll need:

• 500 ml water

• Optional: one teaspoon of loose tea of your choice (rooibos, green, black)

• 250 ml milk (plant-based is fine too)

• 2-3 cloves

• 1 star anise

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2-3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

• 3-4 black peppercorns

• 2 cm fresh ginger, sliced

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

• Honey or maple syrup to taste

  
  

How to make it:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a small pot (water may evaporate during boiling, add more if needed)

2. Add all spices (and optional loose tea) and let steep gently for 15-20 minutes

3. Add the milk and briefly heat the mixture

4. Strain out the spices (and tea)

5. Let cool to drinking temperature

6. Add honey or maple syrup to taste

   
   

Ayurvedic Tip Wait to add honey until your chai has cooled to drinking temperature. According to Ayurveda, heated honey changes in quality, making it harder to digest.

Helpful Extra Tips

Have leftover chai? Let the mixture cool and pour it into a glass/steel pot or mug, store in the refrigerator and reheat the next day.

Make it easy for yourself by preparing a large quantity of spice mixture in advance. Store in an airtight container and use about 2 teaspoons of the mixture per cup of chai. This way, you'll always have a warming drink within reach.

The Perfect Moment

This chai is perfect for those moments when you want to find peace. Take time to absorb the aroma of the spices, feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, and let the tea warm you from within. In Ayurveda, we believe that mindful drinking enhances the healing properties of the tea.

I'd love to hear what you think of this chai! I hope that - like me - you can enjoy this winter tradition and feel how the combination of warming spices helps you stay balanced during the cold months. ✨

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Warm regards, Manoek - Studio Tree Of Life