In Omani culture, karak chai has established a sizable presence and is regarded as the most reviving beverage. Every other street in the country has at least one chai stall where large crowds sip their sweet karak chai.
In Oman, this sweet milk tea is known as special karak and is flavoured with cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and ginger. The rich creaminess is highlighted by the sweetened condensed milk.
Karak Chai
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Preparation time: 15 mins
Serves 4-5
Ingredients
6 whole green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
2 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
One 1/2-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced
1⁄2 cup sweetened condensed milk
3 black tea bags
1⁄4 tsp ground cardamom
Toast the cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon for a minute or two over medium-high heat until aromatic. Bring to a boil while stirring in the ginger and 2 1/2 cups of water. Continue for another 2 minutes or until aromatic, lowering the heat to maintain a simmer.
After adding the milk and letting it simmer for two minutes, add the tea bags and let it continue to simmer for one minute.
The tea and spices should steep for 2 to 3 minutes after you turn off the heat, whisk in the ground cardamom, and remove from the heat. Using a fine sieve, strain the tea. There you go, sip on this tea and experience a version of chai like never before.
