DIY Chai Concentrate

My mom saved this recipe for me and I tried it.  It turned out yummy.  I'd probably only make this recipe once in a while.  It was like making jelly...alot of work.

Chai Tea Concentrate

• 4 tsps. each ground ginger and cinnamon
• 4 tsps. fennel seeds, ground
• 2 tsps. each ground black pepper, cardamom and coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• ¼ cup loose black tea such as Earl Grey
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup blue agave
• 2 Tbs. molasses
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 Tb. fresh lemon juice

Heat spices in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until fragrant and smoke starts to rise, a couple of minutes. Add 1 quart of water and the tea; bring to a simmer.

Remove from heat, cover and let steep about 10 minutes. Strain out tea and spices; stir in agave, honey, molasses, vanilla and lemon juice.

To serve, combine ¼ cup of the concentrate with either ¾ cup hot or cold milk or water. The rest can be covered and refrigerated up to a couple of weeks until ready to use.

I found this recipe at:

http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20120120/FOOD04/301200004/Recipe-Totally-yummy-DIY-chai-

Changes that I made:
I substituted 3/4 cup agave nectar for 1/4 cup agave nectar and 1/4 cup honey.  It ended up tasting like Oregon Original Chai, which I really love.  As far as being cost effective I didn't add it all up but with the ingredients used it's probably pretty close to what you can buy in the store.  I'd have to do the math.
*What made it really cost effective is that after I strained the spices I put them back in the pot, added a quart of water and made another batch.  It tasted the same as the first.  Frugal me!

I poured myself 1/4 cup concentrate and kept adding rice drink until it tasted right.  It was probably around 3/4 cup rice drink.  So, a 1:3 ratio.