Description
Masala Chai is a traditional Indian spiced tea made by boiling black tea leaves with a blend of aromatic spices, milk, and sugar. This comforting and flavorful beverage combines black tea with whole cloves, cinnamon, fresh ginger, and ground cardamom, delivering a rich and warming experience perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Black Tea
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
Spices and Milk
- 1 cup Milk
- 3 Whole Cloves
- 1/2 Cinnamon Stick
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger, grated or minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cardamom
Instructions
- Combine Tea Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon black tea leaves, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and mix the tea leaves evenly.
- Initial Boil With Milk and Spices: Once the water and tea mixture comes to a boil, add 1 cup of milk, 3 whole cloves, 1/2 cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom. Stir to combine all ingredients and allow the mixture to come to a boil again. Watch carefully because milk starts to simmer up the sides quickly; when it reaches this stage, remove the saucepan from heat and stir.
- Repeat Simmering: Return the saucepan to the heat and allow the milk to simmer up the sides of the pan two more times. This repeated simmering intensifies the flavor and ensures the spices are well-infused.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the chai into a mug to remove tea leaves and spices. Top off your tea with an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, if desired, to slightly cool and adjust creaminess before serving.
Notes
- Fresh ginger adds a sharp, warming flavor; you can adjust the quantity based on your preference.
- For a vegan version, substitute dairy milk with almond, soy, or oat milk.
- To reduce sugar, you can adjust or omit the granulated sugar according to taste.
- Simmering the milk multiple times ensures robust spice infusion but be cautious to prevent boiling over.
- Straining is important to remove solid spices and tea leaves for a smooth drink.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Masala Chai, Indian Tea, Spiced Tea, Black Tea, Traditional Indian Beverage, Chai Recipe
