Want something new for your morning cup. This is a light pleasant Chai tea that is satisfying, but not overpowering like the strong flavors of Chai sometimes are. The nettle adds some vital nutrients, and it has about half the caffeine of regular chai. So, it gives you a little boost to keep you going, but not too much.

You can make this one cup at a time or in big batches. See recipes for both below.

Black Nettle Vanilla Chai Tea:

For a single cup combine the following in a sauce pan with 8 ounces of water.

1/2 tsp loose leaf black tea

1/2 tsp nettle leaf

1/4 cinnamon stick

1 inch cube of fresh ginger, peeled

1/8 tsp dried orange or lemon peel (4-5 little pieces)

3 whole black peppercorns

Simmer for 5 minutes. Strain into a mug. Add 1 drop of vanilla extract. Add a bit of brown sugar and cream if desired.

Large Batch:

1 cup loose leaf black tea

1 cup nettle leaf

4 cinnamon sticks, crushed into small pieces

2 tbls fresh grated ginger (spread on a plate to dry before mixing with dried tea)

2 tsp dried orange or lemon peel

1/4 tsp dried black peppercorns

1 tsp vanilla extract sprinkled over dried tea and stirred in.

Store in a sealed container. To brew, add 2 tsp to 8 ounces of water and simmer. Strain and serve. Or add brown sugar and cream if desired.

I’m drinking tea from my grandmother’s tea cup today and thinking of her. It’s a good reminder to slow down, take a deep breath, and be thankful for the little things. Hoping you all can take a break for tea time today.