Hot Pepper–Chai Brine

Chai, a blend of black tea, honey, and spices, usually cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper, is served with warm milk throughout Southeast Asia. About ten years ago, chai started to be manufactured commercially in the Unites States. Now it is available in teabags and as liquid tea, instant tea, and most commonly as a tea concentrate. The concentrate is an instant flavor source, and all you have to do is add salt and water to turn it into brine. Chai has a distinctly Asian profile;