Chai is such an integral part of Indian culture that it is virtually impossible to avoid when traveling through any part of the Indian sub-continent. Even when fresh cold drinking water cannot be found, you will inevitably encounter a chai-wallah, or chai seller, yelling out, "chayee! chayee!" While riding the rails in India, the call of the chai wallah can be heard at every stop proffering their delicious hot drink. It is not uncommon for a chai-wallah to board a train in the middle of the night and wake up passengers to sell chai. The chai arrives in small clay cups that customers throw from the train windows when finished! Indian chai is typically made using a rich black tea, usually an Assam, and brewing it in heavy milk with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper. The drink produces a warm soothing effect and engenders a wonderfully calming effect on the body. We¿ve taken the soothing aspect of this blend one step further and added a dash of vanilla. This addition of vanilla adds a hint of creaminess to this tea a fantastic addition. Brew this tea piping hot and add some sugar to help open up the exotic flavor of the spicy blend that makes up this tea. Just try and stop yourself after one cup! IMPORTANT: Turn your bag of Chai upside down a few times. The powdered spices can settle at the bottom of the bag during transit. A Cool Alternative: Make Vanilla Chai Ice Cream. Ingredients: 2 Cups 35% Cream, 1 Cup 2% milk, 4 ½ tsp Vanilla Chai Tea, 5 Egg Yolks, ½ cup sugar. Heat cream & milk over medium heat. Remove just before it boils. Stir in tea and set aside for 1 hr. Return cream to heat for 2 minutes. Strain tea from mixture. Mix egg yolk and sugar. Gradually add the cream mixture to the egg yolks. Once thoroughly combined return to heat stirring constantly until thick enough to coat back of spoon. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Chill over night. Place chilled custard into Ice-cream maker and follow manufacturer¿s instructions.