I LOVE the combination of spices in this recipe. That said, like many others, I followed SKIDZ7's advice in making a concentrate rather than an out-and-out tea. My changes-- Wanted more concentrate than the estimated 1.5 cups, so I doubled the whole thing. The first batch didn't come out as strong as I wanted it and 8 tea bags really overpower the spice with black tea aftertaste. In the second batch, I think I got it nearly perfect, knocking it down to 5 tea bags, tripling the spices (quadrupling in the case of cinnamon sticks and nutmeg) and adding 6 or 7 whole black peppercorns. I think I'll and up quadrupling everything the next time as it's WONDERFUL this way, but I like it fairly spicy. As a side note, I usually use the concentrate (and this is the same thing I do when I have the Tazo concentrate on hand, which I don't think I'll be buying anymore :D) in a one part concentrate to three parts milk ratio. A quarter of the mug, in other words.

This chai is great. I love the Starbucks chai, but it doesn't come in decaf. I used decaf tea bags and added one anise star to the original recipe. YUM! My chai crazy neighbor loved it too.

LOVE IT ! I follewed SKIDZ7 suggestions, but added 2 cardamon pods instead of the ground. Strained it with a coffee filter in a hand seive, cooled it and put it in the refrigerator. When I wanted a mug full, heated my 1 cup of milk and added enough mixture to taste. Great for a cold day here in Minnesota! Coffee houses watch out!

I still prefer Starbucks Chai. This was a nice, quick alternative to prepare at home.

exactly what I was looking for...thank-you

I love chai tea! I was introduced to it many years ago because I am not a coffee drinker. It was that famouse coffee house we all enjoy. However, I thought theirs was a bit to sweet, so my quest for different chai's started then. I found I didn't like the mixes and only liked the loose leaf teas because I could control the sweetness. I used honey instead of the sugar in this recipe.

Easy and delicious recipe for chai. I used splenda and didn't add the tea bags until I added the milk. I also doubled the spices. Will make again.

Very good recipe! I doubled the spices because I like spicier chai, and it was delicious!

I was delighted to find a chai recipie that I actually had all the ingredients for. The chai tastes great. It is not too sweet and can easily be adjusted to taste (although I think it is perfect as is). Thank You!

For me, it's too stong on the tea and too weak on the spicyness. However, that's all easily remedied. I just put the tea in at the end after simmering all the spices for 10-15 min. I also double pretty much all the spices and use whole when possible (fresh ground nutmeg and whole cardamon). I then keep it in the fridge and add milk cup by cup.

Um, Wow! this is incredible.

Tastes exactly like the chai you buy at starbucks. The only thing I did differently is used soy milk instead of regular milk. Works just as well.

Perfect! Thanks!

Just tried this, and it's very good. I used fresh ginger, ground cinnamon, and one cardamom pod, FYI. If you are getting a bitter drink, try leaving out the tea until after the water has boiled, then adding the tea and letting it steep off heat for 3-4 minutes. Boiling tea brings all the tannins out, and they are terribly bitter. Next time I will probably add more of all the spices, and add black pepper, since I like my chai robust. But the recipe is very good as is, and much better than forking over $4 for a box of concentrate at the store. (I'm leaving out the milk and keeping the spice/tea/honey mix in the fridge for chai emergencies!)

deeeeeelish.

I'd make it spicier next time, but otherwise it's great.

Great recipe. It was delicious and made the house smell wonderful. I like my chai a little sweeter than this so next time I would add a little more sweetner, probably brown sugar like another reviewer suggested. Other than that, this is a great recipe!

Pretty good! This went well with my afternoon of law books! I accidently put in a little TOO much cardamom- be careful! I also put in more vanilla but that was yummy and sprinkled some extra cinnamon. I used skim milk instread of regular milk and didn't taste too much of a difference.

Excellent!

This recipe came out great. The milk and tea blended into a beautiful color and made the kitchen smell wonderful. I did add two teaspoons of brown sugar to sweeten it up for my little sisters. Another addition could be a tablespoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to make a chocolate chai. Or a tablespoon of sugar and two tablespoons of coffee granules. I had this drink warm but it would be a great and refreshing summertime drink poured over ice. Try this recipe!