Nettle Chai tea

The weather here in Seattle, turned back to cold and rainy this week. Someone gave me some Marion berries to add to my berry patch, but I haven't wanted to go out in the weather and dig....... hang in there babies! The cool weather is making me crave warm teas again. This is a tea based on a recipe I found on Pinterest for a Kashmiri style chai, and I tweaked it a bit because I'm doing an elimination diet without caffeine, and also because I drink nettle tea everyday anyway.

Nettle Chai Tea

about 2 tbsp. dried stinging nettle

3 cloves, ground, or a good pinch, pre-ground

3 to 4 cardamon pods, ground

1 tsp. stevia leaf, or your fave sweetener

pinch of saffron

2 walnuts broken up (optional)

Simmer the nettle, cloves, stevia and cardamon in about 2 cups of water for about 5 minutes after simmer starts. Strain into cup in which saffron has been placed. Let steep for a few minutes. For a touch of the exotic add the walnut and/ or some milk. (I use almond milk as I'm dairy-free)