Indian Masala Chai Tea is a delicious, warm beverage made with milk, tea leaves, and Indian spices. Find the authentic Chai Tea Masala spice mix which can be made ahead and stored.
So you've decided to travel to India. What would you do first? I would say, grab that hot, creamy, fragrant chai brewed with fresh cardamom, cinnamon, peppercorns, ginger, enough sugar and milk that will make you want to reach for one more.
Chai? What is it? Indian Chai is the sweet milky tea which we love to savor by dipping Marie (arrowroot) biscuits. Not exactly Marie biscuits or cookies, we also love the brands- Parle G and Tiger as well!
Head to any corner of India and you will be welcomed with a steaming cup of chai. From streets to homes, it is one beverage that Indians cannot live without. Of course, I know some who doesn't like tea but I also know of many who cannot start their day without it; my dad and husband included. They start a day by sipping a hot cup of Chai and reading the daily newspaper.
The women in my husband's household prepare liters of tea every day to be had and served throughout the day. Well, don't look so flabbergasted. Their idea is never to send a guest, a maid or a helper thirsty and tea is the perfect way to make sure of that. Chai serves as a quick, satisfying and refreshing drink.
Chai is an integral part of our daily lives; be it get-togethers with friends and family, the Chai Break during work, the never-ending discussions over Chai- Chai pe Charcha or simply sit down with a book, it is with a warm cup of chai that makes us smile and our hearts flutter.
Indian Masala Chai is prepared by brewing black tea with different aromatic spices and milk. Each household will have its own method of preparing Masala Chai and there are many tea powders and blends available in the market. But nothing can match the flavor and aroma of a freshly brewed tea.
You can also choose to use only one spice for flavor. eg. grated ginger for making Ginger Tea or Adrak Chai, crushed cardamom pods for Cardamom Tea or Elaichi Chai. On my visit to Ooty- a popular hill station in South India, I have also had Chocolate Tea.
| Find the perfect teatime snacks with Chai Tea
Indian Masala Chai Spice Mix Recipe
Use this simple recipe to grind and store the spice mix beforehand. So, when you crave for a cup of masala chai, all you have to do is add a sprinkle of this spice mix to the brewing tea.
There is no fixed proportion for the spices. You can prepare them to suit your taste. Love the spiciness of ginger? Up its quantity. I love cinnamon and cardamom. So, my spice blend is a wee bit overpowered by it.
Grind together ¼ cup each of cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorns and ⅛ cup of cloves and star anise. You can add freshly grated ginger while preparing tea. Store in an airtight container and it can be used for several weeks.
Indian Masala Chai Health Benefits
Indian Masala Chai has many health benefits due to the addition of spices.
They beat fatigue and leaves you feeling refreshed enough to conquer your day. Clove and Ginger help in combating inflammation. The spices boost your metabolism, improves digestion and also rejuvenate you. It also helps to relieve PMS and is good for your heart as well.
Indian Masala Chai Recipe:
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Indian Masala Chai
- Total Time: 0 hours
Ingredients
- Water - 1 cup
- Milk - ½ cup
- Masala Chai Spice Mix - 1 tsp
- Tea leaves/ Tea powder - 1 tsp
- Grated ginger - 1 tsp
- Sugar - 2 tsp
Instructions
- Heat water in a pan and add tea leaves and spice mix.
- Add grated ginger. Bring to a boil.
- Add milk and bring to a boil. Steep for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add sugar, stir and pour to a tea pot or directly to your cups through a tea strainer.
- Enjoy with cookie or biscuits.
- Prep Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
Tips to make that perfect cup of Indian Masala Chai
Chef says:
Keep the spice mix ready for it comes in handy to make a quick cup of tea.
Freshly grated ginger enhances the flavor of chai. So try using it while brewing. You may also add dried ginger powder while blending the spice mix.
Like the recipe? Pin it!
P.S: I've always said that I could never make a perfect cup of chai. From there to my guests asking for a second cup, it has been a long journey!
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Love love.
Vinitha says
I have been looking for this spice mix on your blog for the last half an hour! There was no search button at the home page. Immediately add one, okay? I went to recipe index and found what I needed. Don't post mouth watering recipes and keep search button hidden. I almost cursed you dear.
Vinitha says
Hey Shalini, I made the masala. It's yummy. Thanks for sharing.
Shalini says
Yay! Glad you like it! 🙂
Shalini says
Oh, oops! Thank you, Vinitha for pointing out. I have added the search bar in the sidebar 🙂
djinnia says
chai! i'm going to have to try this now. well, if i can find all the spices that is.
Pikakshi Manchanda says
Like so many other Indians.. I also love tea. You got that right about the Tiger biscuits and Parle G, not to mention MarieGold. And Masala Chai is absolutely yumm.
Those pictures have given me an instant craving. I'm gona go grab a cuppa already!! Awesome penned.
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Amrita says
I love masala chai .Its a wonderful way to spend a relaxing time.Milky tea brewed just right1H
Thats heaven
Shalini says
That's great! Thank you, Amrita 🙂
Tamara says
Yummmm, the smell of chai! Huge fan of all things cinnamon.
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Shailaja Vishwanath says
Tea! You've picked the best dish of them all! What a beverage. I prefer mine with very little milk and masala Chai is a favorite! Those images are to die for.
Parul Thakur says
I am a chai lover. so much so that I can't do away with my minimum 2 cups a day. 🙂 I make ginger tea but masala tea I prefer having outside. will give this one a shot. sounds easy if the spice mix is ready 🙂
Deepa says
I love green tea but masala chai is yummy too. I like ginger tea with a right amount of ginger. I am going to have e a cup of tea now after reading this 🙂
Vinitha says
I love chai! Love trying different varieties of tea. Will definitely try your recipe, Shalini. And yeah, the pictures are superb. Great going girl! 🙂
Mithila Menezes says
I'm not a big fan of Chai (I know right, kill me already!) But I do remember enjoying this ginger Chai at Mahabaleshwar, with Vada Pav, and it's one of my favourite food memories ever! It was strong, peppered me up, and I felt brilliant after drinking it! 🙂
Reema D'souza says
I love masala chai! But now I only have that perfect cuppa when I am at home and mom makes it for me! Otherwise it is green tea all the way. Loved the pictures.
Corinne Rodrigues says
I love chai - any time. And love experimenting with different kinds! Your images are fantastic (and so are you!)
Pratikshya says
Love chai... This recipe is a must do... Tea addict tells . .. I like. Adraak chai more... Chocolate tea sounds interesting too
Cathy Graham says
MMMM, loved reading about the different kinds of Chai with all the wonderful spices. I have a great memory of one of my first friends when I moved to Montreal, Quebec in 1979 and started a French course. I met a lovely lady from India there named Vimal and she would prepare Chai for me when I visited her home. I just loved it how she boiled it on the stove with the milk, sugar and cardamon. Delicious. I have since lost touch with her as that was 38 years ago but I remember her with fondness and her making Chai was a big part of that.
Menaka Bharathi says
I am that anything and everything - chai person, and masala,,,hmm!
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Kaddu says
Bautiful pictures, Shalzz! How do you guys manage to take such beautiful food pics? Doesn't everything get cold while you set the stage and get clicking?
I love tea, but I'm more of an English tea person, rather than the Indian milky masala chai person.
zainab says
I love tea, and can gulp down as many as 4-5 a day, but I limit to 2 or 3!
(explains my insomnia)
Geethica Mehra says
I am a tea lover as much as I am a coffee lover. I like the basic version however I will try this too
Aditi says
I love my masal chai and hubby makes the perfect cuppa. Chai is his department! 😉
Aditya Sathe says
Definitely Chai is fuel for some but My C is for Coffee in life.... 😉
Jodie Humphrey says
I LOVE chai so much! Such a warm, cosy, happy-feeling drink. It definitely is the best drink to go along with reading a good book!
I've not yet made my own chai from scratch though, so i'll have to try it soon. And I have all the spices in my cupboard already, so I have no excuse now!
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Sanchie says
Going to have to give my friend this recipe as she keeps asking me how to make chai and I tell her I don't actually drink chai so I'm lost!
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Lalita says
Chai is the first word in my comfort food list. Your word and pictures do full justice to this vehicle of Indian culture and cuisine!
Vinay Leo R. says
I'm a coffee lover myself, but don't mind drinking a cup of chai once in a while 🙂
Menaka Bharathi says
This is a delightful chai!! Very delicious and easy to make 🙂
Roma Gupta Sinha says
Not had Chai for years as not allowed by doctors buddy, but enjoyed your aromatic masala chai post thoroughly <3
Mocktail mommies says
Nothing like a cup of piping hot masala chai to kick start the day!!!
Mocktail mommies says
Nothing like a hot cup of masala chai to kick start the day!!! In fact, cannot imagine life without CHAI!!
Soumya says
Would you believe it if I said that I have never had a cup of tea all my life? While I make the best ever tea (or so people say) I have never had a sip myself. I hate milk tea and its smell! Black tea, lemon tea, green tea and basically everything without milk in it I can have, but not the milky one.
My husband loves tea though, I shall use this recipe to make him a cuppa this evening.
P.S: Absolutely brilliant pictures. The props used and that stick on cinnamon is perfection! <3
Sheethal says
I am a Coffee person. But the best tea I have ever heard is a masala tea from a teashop near the hills of Wagamon. And it was worth it.
Sheethal says
I am a Coffee person. But the best tea I have ever heard is a masala tea from a teashop near the hills of Wagamon.
Jamie Penminion says
My husband loves Chai tea. We first had it at our friend Scott's Bistro. Then at Starbucks. Now we have the Keurig cups, which probably aren't the same as what's described here. We love trying different versions.
Crazy question (maybe), what kind of milk do you use in this? Goat, coconut, soy, cow, almond...?
Shalini says
That's awesome, Jamie. Oh, I should've probably mentioned it clearly. You may use cow/buffalo milk. There are places where people use goat milk as well. You can substitute with Powdered milk/Whole Milk powder/Skimmed Milk (Dairy)
Geets says
Off late, I've started enjoying tea, but Masala chai is still not my cup of tea! I like my Adrak wali chai!
Cheers
Bellybytes says
To quote Parul you CAN do anything you want to do.
psharmarao says
Being a tea lover that I am , I so loved this post.
Chai is indeed liquid Nirvana in a cup.
Pooja Sharma Rao says
Being a tea lover that I am , I so loved this post.
Chai is indeed liquid Nirvana in a cup.
Ramya Abhinand says
Your clicks steal the show today. As much as I love masala chai and your recipe, the pics on this post are totally refreshing...
Sreesha says
Chai <3
Even I've always felt that I can't make proper tea. Maybe someday even I'll finish my journey from that to good chai that people ask two cups of 😀
Sneha Sasikumar says
I knew this would be Chai , being the tea addict that i am , i should say thank you for this post. I am sure the Coffee lovers would have a say too.
These days all the tea cafe's have some amazing collection of teas. i recently tried the oolong chai but trust me nothing beats the very own local cutting chai <3
This post is making me want one, my morning tea as soon as i reach office!
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Karen says
I've never been a big fan of hot beverages in general but the chai tea sounds interesting. I might have to give it a try. Your post makes it sound delicious.
Swathi Shenoy says
Ah!! This left me craving for some masala chai! I so wish you were my neighbour Shalz. I could have lived a happy life 😉
Shilpa Garg says
Masala chai is my elixir. I have a lot of idiosyncrasies regarding this cup of life. I prefer to make my own cup, I need to have it in a large mug, I need to have my tea in total peace... I have written a whole blog post on my love for masala chai...
susan says
Do you ever drink it cold?
Denise says
It has been many years since I have drunk chai tea, but last week I made chicken curry. It gets better each day.
Vidya Sury says
Yummy! I am a coffee lover but also enjoy chai, especially masala chai. It is time for me to make my chai masala 🙂
Tina Basu says
I am not a chai person but my husband can have gallons of chai in a day - masala, plain, milk etc etc everything