I love tea parlours. I love the modern granny fusion trend of reasonably young (like moi!) people hanging out in dark, mysterious corners of these tea parlours. Sometimes harem chic, sometimes Japanese zen, these parlours are a sensory delight. From an array of every possible kind of tea in the world displayed for all to touch, smell and taste to an almost British quirky army of mismatched and utterly delightful tea pots and cups; one could get lost for hours.
I am lucky enough to have a great, ever changing, ever evolving T2 in my suburb. The girls are always friendly and the tea always hot or cold depending on your choice of arson. When the weather turns, I cannot go past a Black Velvet. It is a generous offering of strong Russian Caravan Hot Chocolate. It is piping hot, it is plenty and it is rich. Sipped at a leisurely pace, it can last you for an hour.
Today I was in the mood to recreate the $7 glass of chocolate chai luxury at home and I wasn’t disappointed. I took it slow, as I always do with brewing tea. I brewed a pot of steaming Russian Caravan, I gently stirred and simmered a pan of creamy hot chocolate, I infused spices, I dipped, I tasted, I let go. The world around me slowed down as the aroma of the chocolate and spices took over. I felt calmed. Before I shot the pictures, I sat down with a steaming mug and revelled in it languorously. It felt like a ritual, even though it was for the very first time. It felt good. I might be indulging in this slowing-down ritual for the next few weeks and the thought alone is like a warm hug. Do you have a slowing-down-ritual? Do you do it often?
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HOT CHOCOLATE CHAI TEA
A rich, steaming cup of spice infused Hot Chocolate Chai is the perfect lift me up on a lasy weekday morning. Brewed with strong Russian Caravan tea, this drink is sold under the guise of Black Velvet in local tea parlours.
Preparation Time – 10 Minutes
Cooking Time – 10 Minutes
Makes – To Serve 2
Ingredients
for the hot chocolate
1 1/2 cups milk (I used lite milk)
1/4 cup thickened cream
2 1/2 tablespoons hot chocolate powder
for the chai
3 teaspoons Russian Caravan tea leaves
1 large cinnamon stick
2 whole pods of star anise
enough hot water to brew the tea (about 3 cups)
Method
Combine all ingredients for chai in a teapot. Brew for 5 minutes. Strain and set aside. Reserve the star anise and cinnamon.
In a milk pan (I use a Reiss enamel pan and it is perfect!), heat milk and cream on medium. When the milk starts foaming at the edges, add the star anise, cinnamon and hot chocolate powder. Add a cup of the strained tea. Simmer, stirring gently and constantly for about 5 minutes until hot and steamy.
Pour in large mugs or glasses, dust with chocolate powder and serve immediately.
My Notes
This tea can be made in advance and simply re-heated in the microwave.
Russian Caravan tea can be substituted with Orange Pekoe, Assam or Irish Breakfast.
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