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spices note: for the cardamom, clove, and cinnamon, yes you can use ground rather than whole, but ground can be more difficult to strain since it’s so fine, but it works well enough if that’s what you have on hand. if you use ground, make sure to look up the whole to ground measurement conversion.

Whatcha need:

tools: a 16 oz mug, a measuring cup, a pot, and a fine meshed strainer (normal tea strainers often aren’t fine enough to properly strain it, you need fine mesh)

black tea (you can use tea bags or loose leaf); tea bag: 1-3 bags, depending on how strong you want it; loose leaf: 1-3 tsp, depending on how strong you want it

roughly 2 parts water to 1 part milk of your choice (for a 16 ounce mug, i do about 10-11 oz water to 5-6 oz milk, it doesn’t have to be exact, so long as the ratio is close to 2:1, if you want it milkier, add more milk, if you want it less milky, add more water)

2-4 cardamom pods

8-10 fennel seeds

1 coin of fresh ginger

1-3 whole cloves

~1 inch stick of cinnamon

sugar or sweetener of your choice

optional spice: star anise (i don’t use this one much myself, but that’s just because i sometimes have a hard time finding it)

Whatcha do:

pour the water/milk mixture into a pot on the stove over medium heat

add the spices (cardamom, fennel, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon)

bring the mixture to a simmer

once simmering, turn the heat down to low and add the black tea

let sit for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until the color shifts from white to a pinkish-tan color, should only take a few minutes, depending on the tea you use.

once brewing is complete, turn off the heat, and strain the mixture into your mug.

mix with some sugar or sweetener to your taste and enjoy!!

*Alternate Microwave Method, if you’re in a hurry:

leave your water/milk mixture in your microwave safe measuring cup

add the spices (cardamom, fennel, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon) into the liquid

place the measuring cup into the microwave and heat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is simmering

remove from the microwave and add your tea into the measuring cup. allow the tea to brew for a few minutes.

Soft butch mechanic Cindy and murder femme Aranea <3

inspired by this post because Noct would….