2teaspoontea leavesblack tea like Assam or English Breakfast
1tablespoonfresh gingergrated or chopped roughly
3podsgreen cardamomwhole
1star anisewhole
5cloveswhole
⅛teaspoonblack pepper
⅛teaspoonground cinnamon
½cupwhole milk(120 ml)
2teaspoonsugaradjust to taste
Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil with 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 1 star anise, 5 cloves, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon and 3 pods green cardamomhen it starts boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
Add 2 teaspoon tea leaves, reduce the heat further and simmer for two minutes.
Once the tea has darkened, pour in ½ cup whole milk and bring to a boil again.
As the milk starts to boil, turn heat down to medium-low, add 2 teaspoon sugar and simmer for another minute then remove from the heat.
Strain away the whole spices and serve in cups. To make the frothy layer on top (optional), pour the tea from the saucepan to another similar size pan or large measuring cup from a height without spilling it. Pour it back again and repeat till a foam appears on the surface of the tea.
Notes
Use loose black tea leaves such as Assam or English Breakfast tea. If using tea bags use unbleached and non-plastic so any unpleasant chemicals don't leach into the water as it boils.