Masala Chai

Masala Chai; a perfect drink for any time of the day.

Aromatic spices, dried tea leaves and ginger make it warm, balanced and super refreshing.

Chai, an emotion that is SO popular in so many communities. There is nothing like a cup of hot tea on any day. Whether it is hot, cold or rainy outside; a cup of Masala Chai is perfect in every way.

For decades we have all loved and enjoyed chai and continue to do so.

Not to forget that some of the best friendships and relations in India are often made at the tea stalls!

And every family has their own version of chai that they enjoy along with some of the best conversations.

What is Masala Chai

For those unfamiliar, Masala Chai is often referred to the version of tea made by boiling black tea leaves with water and spices and then adding milk. The term literally is Masala Chai which means tea with spices.

It is different from any version that uses a concentrate.

This one is made from whole spices or ground spices combined together as Chai Masala.

Masala Chai tastes best when we have it fresh. Reheating it in the microwave does make it lose some of its flavor.

That is the reason that thermos or flasks made of steel are popular in India. Hot chai is filled in it and can be enjoyed a couple of hours later too. It tastes the same and is really hot!

This Recipe of Masala Chai

• Comes together in under 10 minutes. It is a perfect pick me up drink any time of the day, especially in the morning.
• Needs only a handful of pantry essentials and milk. This milky tea is super amazing with the spices and chai masala.
• Can be made for one cup or scaled for several cups. The time required will vary based on quantity.
• The proportion of water:milk can be modified and so can the amount of sugar added. Thus, it is an easy to customize recipe.

Video Recipe

Ingredients

Water: The ingredient used to steep tea, water plays a significant role in tea.

Boiling the water on stovetop with tea and other ingredients works the best. Boiling water can be used to make tea too. However it will not steep the tea leaves well. But be aware to boil the tea leaves only for a minute or two else they will burn.

Milk: Milk is the other prime ingredient in Masala Chai. Use either whole milk or lower fat milk. The difference will be in the thickness of the chai.

Modify the proportion of milk to water to taste. I like to use 1:1. However, make a choice based on what works best for you.

Black tea leaves: The other element of chai is definitely the leaves. I like to use this one for a strong taste and flavor.

However, pick the one that you like best. Sone tea leaves now come with a lot of add-ins like dried ginger, mint etc.

Tea Masala: This is a special blend of spices. I like to use this Chai masala to flavor the tea. I like to grind the masala at home using whole spices. Here is my recipe to make it.

Sugar: Sugar is an optional ingredient in masala chai. Add it or leave it out as you like.

Add-ins: While the masala and tea leaves are enough for the chai, adding other ingredients works too.

For instance we use grated ginger, green tea leaves , mint leaves, whole cardamom pods etc in this chai. Adding some dried rose petals, fennel seeds and saffron is common too.

Step by Step Instructions to make Masala Chai

1- In a pot add water.

2- Add grated ginger and lemongrass leaves.

3- Next add sugar (if using), dried tea leaves and chai masala.

4- Let everything come to a boil on medium flame.

5- Once it boils, add milk.

6- Keep the flame on medium and let the chai come to a boil.

7- Just when it boils to the rim of the pot, remove from flame.

8- Then transfer to mugs using a fine mesh strainer. Enjoy hot.

Tips and Notes

• Do not boil the water with tea leaves for a long time as it tends to get overpowering and often 'burns' the leaves.
• The ratio of milk to water can vary based on preference. I have seen it go from 1:10 to 10:1. Pick what works best for you.
• If you cannot find ginger or green tea leaves or mint, leave it out. Add what you like as a combination. Also, feel free to add everything of you like it all!
• Enjoy chai with your favorite cookies or have it with thepla or rusk.
• A thin film called 'malai' often appears on top of chai as it cools. Either mix this in or discard using a spoon.

This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in 2014.