I love a good cup of coffee and Peet's is my favorite (no offense Starbucks). But sometimes too much caffeine makes me jittery and then there is the post caffeine 'low' which is challenging to deal with. I find that this chai tea is not only delicious but gives me a subtle energy boost. It also curbs my appetite a little bit and there are nutritional and health benefits from the black tea and spices. It's a win/win/win!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 to 1/2 Cup of Black Tea leaves
• 2 teaspoons Culinary Collection Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 5 Green Cardamom Pods
• 2 teaspoons Culinary Collection Fennel Seeds (or Star Anise)
• 1 3" Culinary Collection Cinnamon Stick
• 18 Whole Cloves
• 1 teaspoon Ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Orange Zest
• Pinch of Culinary Collection Marash Chiles
• 4 CC Bay Leaves
• 40 oz Water
• Honey and Milk (or Soymilk) to taste.

Assembly:

1. Crush the Cardamom, Fennel and Cinnamon (you could leave this whole) with mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
2. Place all ingredients except the honey and milk in a medium-sized sauce pan and bring to a boil. Simmer 5 - 10 minutes.
3. Strain into another sauce pan. Add honey to taste and (optional) add milk and heat until hot.