Soothing Masala Chai
Sweet & Spicy Tea
IT’S BASICALLY A SUPER DRINK
Masala chai produces a warming, soothing effect and a wonderful sense of well being. It's difficult to resist a second (or third) helping...
As well as being generally yummy and comforting, it also boasts many health benefits due to the medicinal nature of it’s ingredients. Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves AND Black Pepper all said to naturally aid digestion, reduce nausea, have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as containing plenty of anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Not to mention the mood-boosting effects and meditative nature of simply taking a break and sitting down with a warm cup.
This recipe takes a little longer than your standard cuppa, but we promise you it’s worth it! Also, scroll to the end to find a bonus meditation exercise…
Serves 4
3 Black Tea Bags (Full or decaff)
12 Slices of Fresh Root Ginger
1.5tsp Black Peppercorns
12 Cardamom Pods
2 Cinnamon Sticks
5 Cloves
50g Sugar (This makes a sweet tea. Add less if you have less of a sweet tooth, but don’t omit completely as the sugar enhance the flavours of the spices)
500ml Milk (Dairy or plant based - Oat works well)
Put the Tea, Ginger & Spices into a saucepan & pour on 1 ltr boiling water
Bring back to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes
Add the sugar and milk. Bring back to the boil.
Allow it to simmer gently for 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally (the longer you can wait, the better!)
Strain, discard the solids and drink immediately!
Original Recipe from the Dishoom Cookbook
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BONUS MEDITATION EXERCISE
We all know that we should be taking more regular breaks, and we know how effective meditation is at helping us feel better in ourselves. When it's difficult to find space in your brain to meditate, you can build moments of mindfulness into the day through activities like brewing and enjoying a cup of tea.
Bringing mindfulness to simple activities like drinking tea trains us to direct our attention consciously. We might think we actively choose what we’re paying attention to in life, but in reality most of us are driven by habit and impulse. By deliberately choosing to attend to an activity, we slow things down and let ourselves become aware of what’s actually happening in the present moment.
Try this:
1. Pay attention to the sound of the water heating and boiling. Hear its bubbling and gurgling. Can you see wisps of steam? Be open to your senses, rather than try to analyse what’s happening.
2. Notice the feeling of being in your environment: your feet on the ground if you’re standing, your hands on the countertop or the touch of the spoon handle against your fingers.
3. Watch the colour of the water change as it meets the teabag. Be interested in the transformation of the water from clear to dark, and then from dark to light as you add milk... When your mind wanders into thought (as it most probably will), gently return your attention to the task you are performing.
4. Pay attention to the liquid as it’s poured into the cup; see the swirls and the level gradually rise. Notice the smell.
5. Let yourself hear any related sounds, such as the opening and closing of the fridge, the tinkle of the spoon against the cup. Notice any tendency to do any of this on autopilot, and come back to present-moment sensing when you find you’ve drifted to distraction.
6. Notice the warming of the cup that contains the hot liquid. How do your hands feel as you hold it?
7. Now, bring the cup to your lips and take a sip of tea. Rather than gulping it down, see if you can let the taste tickle your tongue. Perhaps gently move the liquid around your mouth. Savor the taste - is it pleasant? Or perhaps you’d prefer it stronger or weaker? You don’t have to do anything about it (unless you choose to). Just be aware of your sensations and the liking or disliking of them. If there are thoughts, let them enter into and then pass through your mind without following them.
8. Pause and notice any feelings of irritation, or thoughts such as: Hurry up, I’ve got better things to do. Or perhaps a sense of peace or stillness enters you. If so, where do you feel it? Is it changing from moment to moment, or staying the same? Maybe there’s something else going on in your mind and body, perhaps unrelated to the tea-drinking, pulling you into thoughts of the past or the future. If so, just notice it. Whatever comes up in your experience is okay from the perspective of meditation - there’s no right or wrong thing to notice. Bring gentle awareness to whatever emerges. Becoming conscious of how much the mind wanders is a sign of growing awareness.
9. Take a look around you, opening your eyes to your surroundings without buying into evaluations about them. Just be aware of any thoughts or feelings that come up.
You don’t have to follow these steps like a strict to-do list. The key is to open yourself to the spirit of the practice, sensing what’s happening, moment by moment, and coming back to the task whenever you notice you’ve drifted into thought.
LET US KNOW HOW YOU GET ON?
POST YOUR PICS AND TAG @HONOROAKWELLNESSROOMS
