In a saucepan, add 2 cups of water along with cardamom pods, cloves, sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, and peppercorns. Bring it to a boil on high heat.
Once the water comes to a boil, add the loose-leaf tea to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the tea turns dark in color.
Add the milk to the pan and stir well. Then add the sugar and stir again until the sugar dissolves.
Take the pan off the heat and strain the chai through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
If you want to add aeration to your chai for more creaminess and smoothness, pour the tea from one pot to another a few times. Start at a low height and slowly raise the height as you pour from one pot to another. Do this back and forth a few times.
Once you've added aeration, strain the chai again and serve hot.
Enjoy your homemade chai tea!
