How to Make [the best] Chai [ever]

For the chai:

milk (not skim milk, see nerdy science note above)

water

to 2 tsp. sugar, or your favorite sweetener

loose tea leaves

to 1/4 tsp. chai masala depending on your spice preference, see recipe below

For the chai masala:

**Please see additional notes below before proceeding regarding the total amount to make as well as the amount of black pepper**

whole black peppercorn (or finely ground, same weight. Volume: 1 cup + 7 Tbsp)

whole dried ginger or ginger powder (Volume: 1 cup + 8 Tbsp)

cinnamon sticks (or finely ground, same weight. Volume: 1/4 cup + 2 1/2 Tbsp)

whole cardamom seeds (or finely ground, same weight. Volume: 1/2 cup + 1/2 Tbsp)

whole cloves (or finely ground, same weight. Volume: 1 Tbsp)

nutmeg (or finely ground, same weight. Volume: 1 Tbsp)