Masala Chai, also known simply as “Chai,” is a popular Indian tea beverage that has gained popularity worldwide. It’s a flavorful and aromatic blend of black tea, milk, spices, and sweeteners. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing Masala Chai:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk (you can adjust the ratio of water to milk based on your preference)
- 2-3 teaspoons loose black tea leaves or 2-3 tea bags
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar or sweetener of your choice (adjust to taste)
- 4-5 whole green cardamom pods
- 4-5 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick (about 1-inch long)
- 1 small piece of fresh ginger (about 1-inch long), sliced or grated
- Optional: a pinch of black peppercorns and/or fennel seeds
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add the black tea leaves or tea bags, along with the spices (green cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger, black peppercorns, and fennel seeds if using).
- Lower the heat to medium-low and let the tea and spices simmer for about 3-5 minutes to infuse their flavors into the water.
- Add milk to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Be careful not to let it boil over.
- Allow the chai to simmer for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the chai is infused with the flavors of the spices and tea, add sugar or sweetener according to your taste preferences. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the chai using a fine mesh strainer or a tea filter.
- Pour the strained Masala Chai into serving cups and enjoy hot.
You can adjust the proportions of ingredients and the types of spices used to suit your taste preferences. Some people like to add a bit of crushed ginger or ground spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a stronger flavor. Masala Chai is often enjoyed with snacks or as a refreshing beverage on its own.
