Chai or masala chai is a tea blend of black tea, spices, milk and sugar and is a popular drink in India. There are many different variations of chai as well as recipes that adapt to western tastes. Here is a collection of the best masala chai recipes.
Instructions for fresh chai
You can buy ready-made tea blends, but they are nothing like freshly brewed chai made from loose tea and spices.
Put the milk, water and spices in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Mix in the sugar and tea and simmer for another 5 minutes. Strain through a sieve and serve.
Assam or Darjeeling are best. For a good chai, the quality of the tea is less important than the strong aroma.
Kashmiri Chai
Ingredients for 4 cups
1 teaspoon loose tea
4 cardamom pods
1 half cinnamon stick
a pinch of saffron
4 cups water
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons finely ground almonds
Honey or sugar to taste
Spicy milk chai
Ingredients for 4 cups
4 teaspoons green tea
6 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
4 cups water
Sugar
Masala Chai
Ingredients for 4 cups
4 teaspoons loose tea
1 piece ginger
3 cardamom pods
3 whole cloves
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 cups water
1 cup milk
Sugar
Vanilla Chai
Ingredients for 4 cups
3 cups water
6 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla pod
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon loose tea
Spicy Chai
Ingredients for 4 cups
1 tablespoon loose tea
1/2 cinnamon stick
8 cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Black pepper, ground
1/2 teaspoon aniseed
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cups water
1 cup milk
