An Indian beverage made from black tea, milk and spices, chia is a fantastic way to get cozy on a chilly day. There are as many chai recipes as there are curry recipes—the spices are mixed according to taste, and can vary from day to day. Masala chai can be made with any combination of spices, but green cardamom pods and fresh ginger provide the base notes.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup water
- nutmeg
- 1 piece star anise
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 thin slices fresh ginger
- 3 or 4 pods green cardamom
- 6 whole peppercorns
- 1 one-inch stick cinnamon
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons tea leaves (or 2 tea bags)
- honey or sugar to taste
Instructions
The process for making chai at home is surprisingly simple: To make 1 cup, combine 3/4 cup water and your spices (see suggested amounts, then adjust to taste) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for a few minutes until fragrant. Add 3/4 cup milk (Chai is made with buffalo milk in India, but any type of milk will work) and 2 teaspoons tea leaves (or 2 tea bags) and simmer for another minute, then remove from heat. Steep for 2 minutes, then pour through a sieve into your cup. Add honey or sugar to taste.
NOTES
- The word masala means a mixture of spices, and the word chai means tea.
- In India, chai is prepared by a tea vendor, called a chai wallah. The drink is served in small glasses.
- Sugar is often used to sweeten chai, but honey can provide more depth of flavor.
- Loose black tea is best, but tea bags can be used in a pinch. Assam or Ceylon tea is the most common.
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