In a large bowl, add yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar to water, stir and let foam. Add tea bag and let sit for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl whisk together 2 ¾ cups flour, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves and salt.
Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, egg, remaining sugar and vanilla to yeast mixture and combine. Then add in flour mixture and form into a ball. Knead for 10 minutes by hand or with a stand mixer. Add more flour if the dough is sticky.
Place dough ball in a bowl coated with oil and cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2-3 hours.
Once the dough has doubled, punch down and divide into three equal balls. Roll out into strands and braid. Place challah on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and let rise for another hour until double again.
Mix together sugar and cinnamon for topping. While the dough is rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Carefully brush egg over challah and then sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar topping. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.