Masala Chai (Tea) Recipe
I learned how to make masala chai earlier this year from a friend who grew up in India. We went to an Indian grocery store, which had a bigger selection of tea options and spices than traditional grocery stores. I initially thought the chai was a little spicy, but I now find that spice comforting, especially when it's cold outside. If I'm ever craving something sweeter, I'll add more sugar or top my chai with extra milk. Either way, this masala chai has plenty of caffeine to wake you up without the jitter I usually get from coffee, making this is a must for mornings when I'm feeling groggy or afternoons I need to power through. Pair it with a few cookies, churro donuts, or sweet bread, such as this Mexican-inspired babka bread.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick - This recipe for masala chai will take you about 10 minutes and yields enough to refill your mug a couple of times.
- Comforting - The masala and cardamom give this chai a little spice, which makes it a warm and comforting option when cold fronts hit.
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
- Small Pot - A small 2 quart pan is perfect for making this tea and will heat up quicker than a larger pot.
- Strainer- Since we'll be boiling our water with spices, you'll need a strainer to filter out the tea and spices prior to serving.
- Soup Ladle - I prefer to use a soup ladle to pour my spiced chai over a cup-sized strainer into my mug. If your pot has a spout, you can just serve your tea over your mug.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Masala Chai Powder- I purchased this Indian black tea blend at a local grocery store for under $5. This blend includes ginger, clove bud, lemongrass, black pepper and cardamom.
- Cardamom Pods - I recommend crushing these with the back of a spoon, so that the spices really come out.
- Sugar - Adjust the amount of sugar based on your preference! If tastes vary among your family, leave this out, so everyone can add their preferred quantity to their own mugs.
- Milk - Once your water has brewed with the spices, add your preferred milk and allow to boil for a couple of minutes before shutting heat off. Once you've served your tea, top with additional milk to your liking. This can also help cool down your tea, so you can enjoy more quickly!
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Comforting spiced chai in under 10 minutes!
- 4 cup water
- 3 tsp Masala flavored tea
- 1 cardamom
- 3 tsp sugar
- 1 cup milk
- Boil waterBring water to a boil on medium-high.
- Add spices
Add masala powder and a cardamom pod to the boiling water. Boil for 5 minutes.
Use the back of a spoon to crush the cardamom pod so it releases more flavor. - Add milk
Add a cup of your preferred milk and sugar. Boil for an additional 2 minutes, before shutting off heat.
- Strain
Strain your tea and serve.
Add more milk or sugar to your cup per your taste.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more milk or sugar when brewing.
- Want your tea to be spicier? Add more masala powder, cardamom pods, ginger, or black tea.
- If you drink masala chai regularly, consider making a larger batch and straining it into a pitcher. I've kept a pitcher in my fridge that I can easily serve and heat up in the microwaves on mornings when I'm in a rush.