The most popular tea in India is chai, a spicy and milky concoction that is served throughout the day and has become synonymous with hospitality.
With its earthy, smoky aroma, Indian chai sets itself apart from other varieties of tea. There are many different kinds of chai in India, each with its own recipe and preparation. Today, you can find chai tea bags in supermarkets across the U.S., but nothing quite compares to the authentic taste of homemade chai. Here are some helpful tips for making homemade chai:
Chai powder comes in many different varieties, but most are based on a combination of ginger root, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, peppercorns and black pepper. Although there is no exact formula for making homemade chai, it’s important to include these spices as they are essential to creating the full-bodied taste that sets chai apart from other teas. Even if you don’t have all of these spices on hand, try experimenting with what you do have to get a feel for how various flavors complement each other.
To make three cups of strong chai (about 12 ounces):
8 cups water
3 Tbsp whole milk (optional)
3 Tbsp sugar or honey (optional
If you want to make your own homemade chai, you will need some basic equipment, along with the following recipe.
6 oz of milk
1/4 tsp of cinnamon powder
3/4 tsp of allspice powder
1/4 tsp of cloves powder
Heat milk in a saucepan on medium heat. Once the milk begins to boil, add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. You will notice that this is a simple recipe for making chai, but it is also one that yields delicious results.
Making chai is a great way to impress and entertain your friends and family. The simple ingredients in chai can easily be purchased at any grocery store, and once you know the basic recipe, you’ll be able to adjust it to create new and exciting flavors.
Finding Your Spice Mix
The spices you choose will determine the flavor of your chai. Some people prefer a sweeter chai; others enjoy a more spicy one. Use this recipe as a base for your own blend of spices, and adjust it to suit your taste.
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole green cardamom pods
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly
Preparing Your Chai
Place all of the ingredients into a medium sized pot. Pour 2 cups of water over the mixture, then let it sit for 10 minutes before stirring it well with a wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat so that the chai simmers for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the liquid into mugs through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer, then serve immediately. Adding milk (or almond milk) is optional; many enjoy their chai black or with
I started making chai for the first time about 4 years ago. I read a lot of recipes, and tried a few of them out before I made anything that was really good. Here are some tips I wish I had known when I first started:
**Use whole spices whenever possible. For example, instead of using ground cinnamon, use sticks. Whole spices are cheaper than pre-ground, and you can always grind them yourself if you don’t have whole ones. You can also buy whole spices in bulk from an Indian grocery store or on Amazon.
Tins of pre-made masala spice blend are convenient, but they’re quite expensive and they go stale quickly. If you have a coffee grinder you can use it to grind your own masala blend with the right proportions of coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and peppercorns.
You can also make your own chai mix with loose spices you have at home.
**Use loose tea leaves instead of tea bags. Loose leaf tea is cheaper (even if it isn’t organic), and since the leaves are bigger they’ll release more flavor while they’re steeping.
If you’re not sure which variety of tea to choose, stick to black teas
Chai Masala is a black tea that has been sweetened and spiced with different ingredients. It’s a very popular drink in India, especially during the winter season. Chai masala is usually served hot with milk. This is the best recipe for Masala Chai.
Ingredients:
For this recipe, you will need 3 tsps of tea leaves (use loose leaves or tea bags), 1 cup of water, 1 cup of milk, 2 tbsps of sugar, 1/4 tsp cardamom powder and 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder.
Ingredients for preparing Chai:
Put 3 tsp of tea leaves in your teapot and pour 1 cup of boiling water on it. Let it steep for 5 minutes and then strain into two mugs. To this add 2 tbsp of sugar and stir well till the sugar dissolves completely. Now pour half a cup of warm milk in to each mug and garnish with 1/3tsp each of cardamom powder and cinnamon powder. Serve immediately!
To make masala chai, the first step is to make the masala, or spice mix, which usually includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and peppercorns. To make 1 cup of chai:
Soak 1 tablespoon of black tea leaves in 8 ounces of hot water for 3 to 4 minutes. Add one tsp. of the prepared chai masala and 2 tsp. sugar or honey. Heat until warm (but not boiling) and serve with a slice of lemon.
Tadka Chai (Milk Masala Chai): Follow the recipe above, adding 1/4 cup each of whole milk and cream just before serving.
Chai With Almonds: Soak 1 tablespoon each of cardamom pods and whole cloves in 2 cups water for 2 hours. Strain and then simmer with 1/2 cup each of halved almonds and raisins for 10 – 15 minutes; add 1 tsp. of ground ginger and 2 tsp. sugar or honey just before serving.