IndianDrinkVegetarianGluten-Free

Masala Chai

Name: Masala Chai
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 cups water (480 ml); 1 cup whole milk (240 ml); 3 tablespoons loose black tea leaves or 3 black tea bags (9 grams); 2 green cardamom pods (lightly crushed); 1 piece cinnamon stick, 2 inches long (5 cm); 4-5 whole cloves; 4-5 black peppercorns (lightly crushed); 1 piece fresh ginger, 1 inch (2.5 cm), peeled and sliced; 2-3 tablespoons sugar or jaggery, to taste (25-37 grams); Pinch of nutmeg or mace (optional)

Aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves transform a simple cup of tea into something warming and deeply comforting. Bold black tea steeps with fresh ginger and whole spices, then meets creamy milk in a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and spiced notes. Make this weeknight essential whenever you need a cozy pick-me-up or want to slow down with something genuinely restorative.

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

8 minutes

Total

13 minutes

Serves

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Ingredients

Units

Instructions

1
Pour the water into a saucepan or tea kettle and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, about 3-4 minutes.
2
Once boiling, add the crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, and fresh ginger slices.
3
Reduce the heat to medium and let the spices simmer for 2-3 minutes until the water becomes fragrant and slightly darkened.
4
Add the black tea leaves (or tea bags) directly to the spiced water and let it steep for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
Pour in the milk slowly while the tea is still simmering, then add sugar or jaggery to taste.
6
Let the chai simmer together for another 1-2 minutes until it reaches a gentle boil with small bubbles forming around the edges, watching for the mixture to rise slightly.
7
Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer or tea filter into serving cups, pressing gently on the tea leaves and spices to extract maximum flavor.
8
Serve immediately while hot in small cups or traditional glasses.

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Masala Chai

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

8 minutes

Total

13 minutes

Serves

Jump to recipe

Ingredients

Units

Instructions

1
Pour the water into a saucepan or tea kettle and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, about 3-4 minutes.
2
Once boiling, add the crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, and fresh ginger slices.
3
Reduce the heat to medium and let the spices simmer for 2-3 minutes until the water becomes fragrant and slightly darkened.
4
Add the black tea leaves (or tea bags) directly to the spiced water and let it steep for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
Pour in the milk slowly while the tea is still simmering, then add sugar or jaggery to taste.
6
Let the chai simmer together for another 1-2 minutes until it reaches a gentle boil with small bubbles forming around the edges, watching for the mixture to rise slightly.
7
Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer or tea filter into serving cups, pressing gently on the tea leaves and spices to extract maximum flavor.
8
Serve immediately while hot in small cups or traditional glasses.

Reviews

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