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Traditional Masala Chai Recipe

By Alexandra Hoover

Masala chai is a very popular tea from India which includes spices as well as herbs. In some situations, masala chai is used as ayurvedic medicine; nevertheless, this particular recipe should not be relied on for any curative qualities. While the word “chai” seems to apply specifically to Indian tea, it is actually a generic term for this beverage. Although it is similar, do not confuse it with a chai latte, which is a lot foamier.

To make masala chai, it is necessary to use these ingredients: 12 black peppercorns, 6 whole cardamon seeds, 4 cloves, 1/2 cup of milk, 10 teaspoons of sugar, 12 sticks of cinnamon, 5 cups of water, and 6 teaspoons of leaf tea. If you want to simplify the recipe and use fewer ingredients, try just using cardomon seeds, cloves, milk, sugar, tea and water. For an alternate recipe, consider adding star anise and ginger. If you like rooibos, there are also red tea variations of masala chai which add a unique flavor.

To follow the traditional masala chai recipe, start by boiling a mixture of milk and water. Stir after adding spices and sugar. Turn off the heat, put a cover on your pan, and let the spices sit for nine to ten minutes. After you let the spices soak and add the leaves/teabags, boil the water again. For the next six minutes, let the combination simmer on reduced heat.

Finally, strain and serve the tea. If you want to add more milk and sugar, this is the time to do so. You can also serve masala chai cold. This tea is perfect if you have a taste for milky spiciness and the acridness of cloves. The tea is much healthier than an Indian cigarette, or bidi, which is often considered more dangerous than a filtered cigarette.



4 responses to “Traditional Masala Chai Recipe”

  1. Nice Article. Thanks for it.

  2. Thanks for sharing this nice article

  3. How many cups of tea will this make?

    1. The author is no longer available to answer your question. I am going to assess that she meant 5 cups, since that is the amount of water she is specifying. Thanks for reading and check Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed “Chai Snob” for other info on masala chai. 🙂

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