Rooibos Chai

Submitted by ncmysteryshopper

"Rooibos leaves, which are grown in South Africa, resemble tea leaves but come from a different plant and don't have any tannins. They have recently made an appearance on store shelves here. You can substitute black tea in this recipe; add it during the last 5 minutes of simmering."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2⁄3 cup whole milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 teaspoons cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 2 slices fresh ginger, quarter-size, lightly smashed
• 1⁄4 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons loose rooibos tea leaves or 2 tablespoons black tea leaves

directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pale rust colored, about 20 minutes.
2. Strain the chai through a fine sieve and serve hot.

Reviews

[Kitchen Witch Steph]

I am sorry but this ended up being sort of flat...didn't have the depth of flavor that I am used to in a chai tea. Anything that I may have done wrong? I think I followed the recipe to a tee. Will have to think on it and maybe try another day. Thank you for posting. Made for ZWT4.

 

[UmmBinat]

4 1/4 stars. This is a pretty good chai that is lightly flavoured. I used rice milk to be dairy free and simmered everything in a bit less water for about 17 minutes, as simmering rice milk from previous experience makes it separate. I used dark brown sugar crystals for the sugar and do recommend brown. I had to use 2 Rooibos tea bags as I didn't have loose leaves. I think this needs more spice but I liked the amount of sugar which wasn't too sweet, just perfect. Made for Comfort Cafe - Snow Queens, Round 01/10.

 

[Sarah in New York]

This was pretty good. I don't think I'll make it again, but I think that's just more of my personal preference. I love Chai tea, but this just wasn't what I expected. Made for ZWT 4.

 

[kiwidutch]

This was OK... The Netherlands and South Africa share an intermingled past, so Rooibos tea has been available here for years and years. It has a *massive* amount of vitamin C and NO tannin ! I drink Rooibos "pure" every day, no milk, no sugar etc and I also always steep mine for a long time. I wanted to try this variation to see how it compared to my "usual". The smell was lovely.. the cinnamon stitcks and ginger especially fragerant as this simmered. I must be honest however and say that I found that the taste didn't match up nearly well enough to the smell. Looking at the other reviews it must be entirely personal, and maybe I am so used to the taste of my pure Rooibos that this just doesn't taste right to me? Please see my rating system: 2 stars for a recipe that I was very pleased to try but which didn't suit my taste in the end. Other reviewers obviously enjoy it very much so PLEASE don't let my review put anyone off in any way. Give it a go for yourself. Rooibos is extremely natural and healthy so if this recipe does it for you, then go for it! Thanks for the chance to at least try something different with my favourite hot drink :)

 

[Annacia]

I can only echo the praise of the others. This was a wonderful addition to my breakfast this morning. I simply love the spices and I also used non fat milk. I used a 3" cinnamon stick for a one serving amount and kept it in my cup while enjoying the chai.