Black Chai Masala Tea

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon fennel seed
• 1 small piece of ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced
• 6 black cardamom pods (green pods are an acceptable substitute)
• 6 black peppercorns
• 12 whole cloves
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cinnamon stick (about 6" long)
• 2 tablespoons Darjeeling (black) tea
• 2 tablespoons sweet agave nectar
• 2 cups dairy-free creamer

Steps

1. In a large tea ball, combine fennel seed, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns.
2. Peel the ginger.
3. Slice the ginger thinly.
4. Add this to the water along with the sliced ginger and cinnamon sticks.
5. Boil for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes, although the longer you let it sit, the better it gets. Add the tea, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
7. Strain mixture, discard spices and return the tea to the saucepan.
8. Stir in the sweet agave nectar and soy creamer.