This recipe is very dear to me. I learned how to make chai when I cooked at an Ashram in Taos NM, many years ago. 

Ashram Masala Chai 

7 Cups Water

1/3- ½  cup fresh ginger, grated, smashed in a mortar, or grate

1 cinnamon stick, broken up

5 whole cloves

1 teaspoon cardamom seeds (not pods) freshly ground

Pinch of freshly ground pepper

3 tablespoons loose black tea; Assam or China Black are great!

2 ½ - 3 cups Whole Organic Milk or soy milk

Maple syrup to taste

1. Add all of the spices and ginger into a large pot with 7 cups water water.

Bring to a boil then reduce to a good simmer covered for 15 minutes. You are looking for a golden color. 

2. Turn heat off and add black tea. Steep 3 Minutes. Using a fine strainer, strain in to a large bowl. 

3. Heat Organic milk in same pot. When milk is warm not boiling add strained Marsala mixture to the milk. 

4. Add sweetener to taste.