Masala Chai has been one of my favorite comfort drinks for years. This spiced Indian tea isn’t just delicious. It aids digestion and improves overall wellness. Let me walk you through how to make this Masala Chai step by step.
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Masala chai recipe
Masala Chai is a traditional Indian beverage that translates to “spiced tea“. “Masala” translates to “spice,” and “chai” simply means “tea” in Hindi. This tea is also called chai tea. This confused me because chai means tea, so chai tea means tea tea?!
This drink is made by brewing black tea with a blend of aromatic spices, milk, and a sweetener. The interesting thing is that the British were the ones who introduced tea to India in the 19th century. The Masala tea is now an integral part of everyday life in India. It’s enjoyed in homes, street stalls, and modern cafes alike.
You can enjoy this tea with coffee cakes, muffins, shortbread, and sugar cookies. Cinnamon rolls, pound cakes, caramel slices, brownies, and sponge cakes are also good choices.
If you love savory pairings, try buttery biscuits, scones, and herb focaccia. This tea goes well with cheese-spinach pastries and sandwiches like egg or chicken salad. Spiced roasted nuts and dried or fresh fruits, such as figs, mangoes, or apple slices, also work well.
There are many types of Indian spiced tea, but I still prefer the classic version. Here is how to make the Masala Chai (Indian chai tea):
Traditional Masala Chai (Indian Spiced Tea)
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 to 2 tsp black tea leaves
- 2 to 3 whole green cardamom pods crushed
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger grated
- 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 to 4 whole cloves
- Sugar, syrup, or sweetener to taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.
- Add the black tea leaves and the crushed cardamom pods.
- Grate the fresh ginger and add it to the saucepan.
- Break the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces and add them to the mixture. Add the whole cloves to the saucepan.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your tea.
- Add the milk to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a cup, using a fine mesh strainer or tea infuser to catch the tea leaves and spices.
- Sweeten the chai with sugar or your preferred sweetener.
Variations
While the authentic recipe includes black tea leaves, spices, milk, and sweetener, numerous variations cater to different tastes and regional preferences.
- Chai Latte mixes ½ cup concentrate with ½ cup steamed milk and tops with foam.
- Dirty Chai Latte adds 1 shot of espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee) to the chai latte above.
- Vanilla Chai stirs in ½ tsp vanilla extract after straining for a sweet, aromatic twist.
- Turmeric Chai (Golden Chai) adds ¼ tsp turmeric powder with the spices for an earthy, anti-inflammatory boost.
- Coconut Chai replaces milk with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor.
- Spiced Orange Chai adds a strip of orange peel or 1 tbsp orange juice for citrusy depth.
- Rose Cardamom Chai adds ½ tsp rose water or dried rose petals for a floral note.
Delicious