Imagine the time-honoured spices of India delicately mixed with malty black tea. Following in the footsteps of my father, I found one of my greatest travelling pleasures in India; thick, milky, sweet Chai, straight from a shot glass. To bring the experience home, I’ve created an authentic blend which replicates the comfort and allure of real Chai; with cardamom and fennel seeds, cinnamon and a unique Australian twist of mountain pepper leaf. I like this best with warm milk and honey for a true, whole-hearted experience, evocative of the thoroughfares of India.

Ceylon Kenilworth and Greenfield estate and Assam Mangalam estate leaf teas, whole fennel seeds, cardamom peel, cinnamon bark, red safflowers, natural flavours of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, turmeric pieces, Australian mountain pepperCeylon leaf tea, Assam leaf tea, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, natural ginger, cinnamon and cardamon flavours, safflowers, Australian mountain pepper leaf.

My favourite selection of Sri Lankan Ceylon and Indian Assam teas, personally selected based on the favourite seasonal flavours from the high-grown mountains and the lower grown estates give a malty body. I’ve added the traditional spices of India comprising of cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, ginger and cloves that are one with any classic Chai and a touch of deep-rooted safflower petals. Hand-picked Australian Mountain pepper leaf gives this blend a personal touch. I first discovered this Australian native growing on my property in Gippsland, Victoria. A neighbour literally said, “See that plant over there, it is an Australian native mountain pepper and it grows wild under the Blackwood trees all over the place here.” Mountain pepper gives berries each year during March and April which is great to dry up and add to your pepper grinder. For my blend of Chai, I picked the distinctive but gentler leaf, adding a subtle herbal flavour. Mountain pepper plants feature in indigenous traditional uses, both in cooking and medicinally. When it comes to growing native foods, the most knowledgeable people I know are Gil and Meredith at Grow Lightly, in Korumburra. They are so passionate, have a food forest with dozens of species and are now creating fruit and veggie boxes of local produce, with a view to setting up a space at Coal Creek.

Let me share my secrets to the perfect cup of tea… Place a pyramid in your favourite cup. Pour in freshly boiled water. Infuse for 3-5 minutes and inhale the aromas as you slow down and anticipate that first satisfying sip.

"A sultry, sensual tea exactly as stated. It was delicate, elegant and beautiful. This is a well-crafted tea and it will be a regular in the house. I love it." - Raechel Andersen