Description
Masala Chai is a traditional Indian spiced tea made with black tea, aromatic spices, milk, and sweetener. This comforting and flavorful beverage is rich, creamy, and infused with warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Perfect for chilly mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up, this homemade version captures the authentic taste of Indian chai, far superior to any store-bought blend.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 2 tablespoons loose black tea (or 2 black tea bags)
- 3–4 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 3–4 whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 black peppercorns (optional, for a spicier chai)
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Boil the spices: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger, and black peppercorns. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to release the flavors.
- Add tea: Add the black tea and simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in the milk: Stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Watch carefully to prevent overflow.
- Sweeten the chai: Add sugar or honey and stir well. Let the chai simmer for another 1–2 minutes for a richer flavor.
- Strain and serve: Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the chai into cups. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference by adding more or less sugar.
- For a dairy-free version, use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- For a stronger chai, let the tea steep longer before adding milk.
- Serve with biscuits, samosas, or pakoras for a traditional Indian experience.
Nutrition
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 2g