Masala Chai or Karak Chai is made and enjoyed in homes all over the world. It is often referred to as Chai Tea (hence the title 'Best Chai Tea'). Chai tea actually translates to tea tea. Masala Chai is an aromatic, spiced, sweet milky tea.
Chai in India
In India wherever you are, you will hear the call for 'Garam Garam Chai' (hot hot tea) from Chai wallah (Tea sellers). There isn't a situation or an issue that cannot be resolved with a cup of chai. Often people will ask for 1/2 cup having had several cups beforehand. The morning cannot begin without a cup of kadak chai (strong tea). Guests are always served chai. Basically, Chai is life. It may sound excessive to have tea throughout the day but when I went to India and saw the size of the cups, I got why they needed so many cups of tea.
The cup at the time when I was there was a very small clay cup. I remember looking out from the musaffir khan's (a 'hotel' right in the hustle and bustle of Mumbai) window and seeing the chaiwalla opposite. He had little time for rest/have small talk/take a breath/think. He would continuously be ladelling tea into tiny cups. All day, every day. Almost in a trance like state.
The cool thing about those cups is that they are biodegradable. So once they are tossed away, they disintegrate back into the earth. The cups themselves are quite small.
Authentic Masala Chai
This is a recipe for authentic Masala Chai with variations. As mentioned, this title actually translates to The best Tea Tea and it is a recipe that many of you have requested.
I am not really a chai person. I will have it occasionally but not everyday. I need a cup of tea in the morning but it doesn't have to be masala chai. My favourite version of chai is made with a blend of whole spices and lots of ginger.
What makes an authentic Masala Chai/Karak Chai is the use of freshly ground whole spices. Fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves…all the flavorful warm spices. Every one prefers their own special blend and even myself and my husband differ in what we like.
What is Masala Chai?
Masala translates to a blend of spices. Tea that is brewed with spices and milk is called Masala Chai.
You can make Masala Chai with freshly crushing the whole spices when making tea or using a Masala Chai powder or tea bag. (See how happy she looks? This is what chai does for me when I do have it).
Having a ready made masala chai powder or the bag makes life easier. Many homes make their own blend. I don't make it often enough to have my own blend.
What are the ingredients to make Masala Chai?
The main ingredients to make Masala Tea are very basic and pretty much the same in all recipes. What varies is the quantity of spices and spices used to make the chai. Some like to add lots of ginger (my husband), others lots of cardamom (me) and others may prefer only whole spices.
Tea Ingredients:
- Water
- Milk - Whatever milk you normally use will work
- Sugar or Alternative Sugars/Syrups
- Tea leaves or Tea Bags
- Fresh Ginger - I grate a huge bag and keep it in the freezer
- Green Cardamom pods slightly cracked open
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Black Peppercorns
If you are using an already prepared Chai Masala powder, you can skip the spices and just grate in fresh ginger.
How to make Masala Chai/Karak Chai?
Heat up water in a pot on high heat.
Meanwhile crack open the cardamom seeds and gather remaining spices. At this point you can either grind them in a pestle and motor or coffee grinder or leave them whole like I do. You can also lightly toast the spices in a dry pan beforehand. Add the spices to the water.
Grate the ginger in.
Once the water comes to a boil, add the tea leaves/bags and boil for a minute before adding the sugar.
Pour in the milk and bring the tea to a boil before turning the heat back down to low.
At this stage you can continue to simmer or turn the heat off and strain into cups.
Tips to make the perfect Karak Chai
How much water and milk you use, is up to you. I prefer more water to milk and my husband prefers the opposite. Handy, I know.
Make sure the water is simmering before you add the spices and ginger.
Adjust spices to your taste. You will come to understand your personal preference when you make it regularly.
Once that milk begins to simmer, do not move and watch the pot like a hawk. If for some reason (don't do it), you decide to take a small walk, say.. to the fridge, take your binoculars with you and sprint back as soon as you hear the sizzling threat of overflow.
You can toast the spices beforehand in a dry pan to bring out the aroma.
Benefits of Karak Chai
Many spices are used in the making of chai, with the most prominent one being ginger. As a result, masala tea has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is also good for immunity because it contains cinnamon and clove. Cardamom aids digestion. It is also great for energy levels and I will choose to have masala tea when I am in a bit of a slump.
..but where I'm from, people don't drink this tea for it's health benefits. They drink it because it is the solution to ALL problems. Ask any South Asian person for verification.
What is the difference between chai and masala chai?
Enjoy Masala Chai with dipped buttered toast, ghee rotis, samosas or Masala Omelette / Jeera Shortbread.
Best Chai Tea
Fragrant, Aromatic Authentic Indian Masala Chai
Ingredients
- 350 ml Water
- 6 Green Cardamom Pods slightly cracked open
- 4 Cloves
- 8 Black Pepper whole
- 1 Cinnamon Stick large
- 1.5 inch Ginger grated
- 3 tsp Tea Leaves or 3 Tea Bags
- 2 - 4 tsp Sugar adjust to taste
- 180 ml Milk
Instructions
-
Heat up water in a pot on high heat.
-
Meanwhile crack open the cardamom seeds and gather remaining spices. At this point you can either grind them in a pestle and motor or coffee grinder or leave them whole like I do.
-
Add the spices to the water. Grate the ginger in.
-
Once the water comes to a boil, add the tea leaves/bags and boil for a minute before adding the sugar.
-
Pour in the milk and bring the tea to a boil before turning the heat back down to low.
-
At this stage you can continue to simmer for a little longer or turn the heat off and strain into cups.
Recipe Notes
You can add other spices such as star anise, fennel.
Adjust spices to your taste. You will come to know your personal preference over time.
You can also adjust the milk to water ratio to your preference.
You can lightly toast the spices in a pan beforehand to enhance the aroma/flavour.
Unjhawala Tea says
Helpful tips to make a good tea. Nice blog. Keep it up!
Safira says
Thank you.