It is amazing to see how international the humble cup of chai tea has become. Once common only in homely kitchens, it is now increasingly a popular drink of choice for the latte-sipping trendy folk. We think they are onto a good thing, but we’ve been in the know for a longer time!
I came across a great word ‘chaivinist’, which someone humorously translated to mean ‘a person displaying aggressive, exaggerated and prejudiced love for chai’. We Somalis would concur and agree that we are definitely shaahvinists! Here is our recipe for making a great tasting cup of home-made chai or shaah cadeys as we call it in Somali.
You can change the spices to suit your taste. Add sugar or honey if you prefer. Or just have your chai without any sweetener. Some people like their chai without milk, so you can omit the milk if you wish, but use less tea leaves for a less stronger brew.
We love to have our chai for casariya (afternoon tea) with khamiir (a sweet doughnut type pastry) or samosa.
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Chai (Spice Tea)
Ingredients
2 cups of water
1 cup of milk
2 teaspoons of tea leaves (use a strong tea like Kenyan)
6 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon of ground ginger (you can use minced fresh ginger)
4 black peppercorns
2 cloves
Sugar to taste
Instructions
1. Grind all the spices
2. Place the water and spices in a saucepan
3. Add the tea leaves and bring to boil
4. Add the milk and heat through for two to three minutes
5. Sieve the tea into a pot and serve hot.
10 Responses to “Chai (Spice Tea)”
Rosa Manson
Looking into Somali herbs for research into the pastoralists or people’s way of lives in Somalia. So a good any is learning how to make tea.
Somali Kitchen
Hi Rosa, thank you for your message. Share your findings with us. I am sure it will be interesting. We have a page on spices and herbs we use that may be useful: http://www.somalikitchen.com/spices-and-herbs/
Rahma Mohamed
Yess…. Here’s a tip though; Always use black tea because white tea usually has more fat…
Somali Kitchen
Thanks, Rahma. We love both white and black tea and considering that we don’t usually use a lot of milk that works out well. Enjoy everything in moderation is our philosophy!
Michael
Thanks for bringing Somali tea, sambusa, and some wonderful people to America.
Somali Kitchen
Thank you, Michael. That is a very kind thing to say. Bless you!
Nancy
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have several Somali clients and plan to surprise them by making shaah and bringing to their class for them to enjoy!
Somali Kitchen
You are welcome, Nancy. Enjoy the shaah. It is an everyday must have for us!
Fatima
I was looking for the dates and banana smoothie that you posted but could not find it, I made it last year but can’t remember how to make it. Can you tell me pleaas
Somali Kitchen
Hi Fatima, it should be up under beverages. Enjoy and Ramadan Mubarak!