Conversation

Through pandemic, I’ve gone from 4 coffees a day to 2, and started drinking chai more. No reason, just a side effect of quitting working from Starbucks. Also alcohol down drastically since I’m primarily a social drinker. Anyone else have pandemic changes in upper/downer intake?
13
43
Replying to
Probably down a bit on caffeine since I have to make the coffee myself, rather than just free easy refills at the office. Also, do you have a good chai recipe?
2
2
Replying to
Here’s a mediocre one One heaped tsp cheap black CTC tea, a cardamom pod or even just skin, 1/2 tsp ginger powder, a clove, 2-3 twists from pepper mill. Steep 4min in mug of 4:1 boiling water+hot milk. I use kettle for water and microwave a half inch soy milk in mug for 30s
Replying to and
The spicing makes using pricey good whole leaf black tea a waste. Save that for plain black tea. The CTC stuff is like a few bucks for a pound at Indian grocery stores. Something like Brook Bond red label. Increase spicing proportion/steep time for stronger flavors.
2
3
Replying to and
Don’t skip the milk. Cheap tea needs milk to moderate harsh notes, and sugar as well if possible. For truly strong chai roadside style, you’ll need to simmer on stovetop for like 5-10 minutes rather than just steep for 4, but that’s easy to over-extract to undrinkable.
2