Chi Tea Latte

My best friend doesn't drink coffee. Over the years, I've pondered how our friendship works, but her other qualities more than make up for her aversion to coffee. Instead, she enjoys Chai Tea. Some time ago, she mentioned that the brand she usually bought at Sam's Club was no longer in stock. Like me, she's thrifty and won't pay an outrageous price for it online.

It goes without saying that I wanted to create a homemade version for her, as she deserves

to be "spoiled" from time to time.

Ingredients:

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer

2½ cups white sugar

1½ cups unsweetened instant tea powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together the nonfat dry milk powder, powdered non-dairy creamer, French vanilla creamer, white sugar, and instant tea powder until evenly distributed.

Stir in the ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices are well incorporated.

Working in batches (about 1 cup at a time), transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. Pulse or blend until it reaches a fine, powdery consistency—like confectioners' sugar—to help it dissolve better in hot water.

Pour the finished mix into an airtight jar or container. Shake well before each use to redistribute the spices.

To Prepare a Single Serving

Stir 2 heaping tablespoons of the mix into 8 oz (1 cup) of hot water. For a creamier latte, use steamed milk instead. Top with frothed milk or a dash of cinnamon if desired. Enjoy hot or iced!TipsFor a finer texture, process the mix in a high-powered blender like a Cuisinart for about 4 minutes.