Masala Chai Tea Clara quick dinners

Masala Chai Tea is a traditional Indian spiced tea that blends black tea with an aromatic mix of warming spices, milk, and a touch of sweetness. It’s bold, rich, and deeply comforting—perfect for mornings, afternoons, or cozy evenings. This homemade version lets you control the spice level, sweetness, and creaminess, resulting in a cup that’s perfectly tailored to your taste.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bold, aromatic flavor that’s both spicy and smooth
• Customizable to your preferred spice, sweetness, and milk level
• Made with pantry staples and whole spices
• Comforting and energizing at the same time
• Cheaper and better than store-bought or coffee shop versions

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Water
• Whole milk (or a non-dairy alternative like oat or almond milk)
• Black tea (loose-leaf Assam is best, or strong tea bags)
• Fresh ginger, sliced
• Cardamom pods, crushed
• Whole cloves
• Cinnamon stick
• Black peppercorns
• Sugar, honey, or sweetener of choice

Directions

1. Simmer spices: In a small saucepan, bring water, sliced ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns to a boil. Simmer for 57 minutes to extract flavor.
2. Add tea: Stir in black tea. Simmer for another 23 minutes.
3. Add milk and sweetener: Pour in milk and add your sweetener. Raise the heat until just boiling—watch closely to prevent overflow.
4. Strain and serve: Strain the chai into cups. Serve hot.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 2
• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 15 minutes

Variations

• Vegan Chai: Use plant-based milk like oat, soy, or almond
• Extra Spicy: Add more ginger or a pinch of chili flakes
• Chai Concentrate: Make a double batch, store in fridge, and reheat with milk as needed
• Iced Chai: Let it cool, serve over ice, or blend for a chai latte
• Sweeteners: Use jaggery, coconut sugar, or maple syrup for different flavor profiles

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store in a sealed jar for up to 2 days
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop; avoid boiling after milk is added
• Freezing: Not recommended, as milk can separate

FAQs

What is Masala Chai?

Masala Chai is an Indian tea made with black tea, milk, sweetener, and a blend of warming spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.

Can I use ground spices instead of whole?

Yes, but use sparingly—ground spices are more potent and can make the tea gritty if not strained well.

What kind of tea is best?

Loose-leaf Assam tea is traditional. Use any strong black tea that can stand up to spices and milk.

How sweet should Masala Chai be?

Sweetness is personal. Start with 12 teaspoons of sugar per cup and adjust to taste.

Can I make it caffeine-free?

Yes, use rooibos or other herbal tea as a base for a caffeine-free version.

What milk works best?

Whole milk makes a rich, creamy chai, but you can use any milk or dairy alternative.

How do I avoid curdling the milk?

Add the milk after spices and tea have simmered, and don’t let it boil too long once the milk is in.

Can I make a large batch?

Absolutely. Scale up the ingredients and store extra in the fridge for 12 days.

What’s the difference between chai and masala chai?

“Chai” means tea in Hindi; “Masala Chai” is spiced tea. In the West, “chai” typically refers to this spiced version.

What can I serve with Masala Chai?

Enjoy with biscuits, pakoras, samosas, or toast for a traditional Indian tea-time snack.

Conclusion

Masala Chai Tea is a warm, spiced classic that’s easy to prepare and endlessly customizable. Whether you enjoy it first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up, it offers comfort, energy, and incredible depth of flavor in every sip. Brew a batch and savor a cup of tradition at home.

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