Split and chop your vanilla beans into about 4-6 pieces per bean.
Mix all ingredients except the tea, half & half, and maple syrup into a large cooking pot and bring the water to boil. Let boil for 3 minutes and then reduce the heat to simmer.
Let simmer for 30 minutes
Pull from the burner, add tea, cover, and let sit for 20-30 more minutes.
Strain the tea through a fine sieve and return the liquid back to the pot.
Bring the temperature back up to a rolling boil and turn down to a simmer.
Stir in the half and half and maple syrup.
