Ingredients:

• 1/2 whole star anise
• 10 to 12 whole cloves
• 6 to 7 whole allspice
• 1 heaping teaspoon (or 2 short sticks) cinnamon bark
• 6 to 7 whole white peppercorns
• 1 cardamon pod, opened to the seeds
• 1 cup water
• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 heaping tablespoons high-quality, full-bodied broad-leaf black tea (Ceylon or English Breakfast)
• Sugar, to taste