Masala Chai Recipe (Indian Spiced Tea)
Masala Chai (also known as Indian spiced tea) is a famous Indian tea that is popular for its strong flavor and warm spices. It is made by boiling black tea leaves with milk, water, sugar, and different whole spices like ginger, green cardamom pods, and cinnamon. Masala tea is often served as a comforting drink with an Indian breakfast, enjoyed with a traditional Indian dish, or sipped as a relaxing evening beverage. The result is a sweet, creamy, and spicy Indian drink that gives comfort and energy. Let’s learn how to make masala chai at home in a simple way.
Ingredients List (For 2 cups of Masala Chai)
You will need the following ingredients to make Indian Masala Tea:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk (full cream milk gives the best taste, but you can use any)
- 2 teaspoons black tea leaves (like Assam tea or Darjeeling tea)
- 2 teaspoons sugar (you can add more or less as you like)
- 1 small piece of fresh ginger (about 1 inch) – crushed or grated
- 3 to 4 green cardamom pods, crushed slightly
- 1 small stick of cinnamon
- 2 to 3 cloves
- 2 to 3 black peppercorns, (for strong tea)
Note: You can also add a small pinch of fennel seeds or a tiny bit of nutmeg if you like more flavor.
How to Make Masala Chai (Stps-by-step)
1. Take fresh ginger, cardamom pods, a cinnamon stick, cloves, and black peppercorns. Lightly crush them using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin—just enough to release their natural aroma and essential oils. These chai spices form the base of authentic Indian masala chai.
2. In a saucepan, pour 1 cup of water and add the crushed spices. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 3–4 minutes to create a flavorful spiced tea infusion.
3. Add 2 teaspoons of black tea leaves (or Assam tea for stronger flavor) and boil for 1–2 minutes. Pour in 1 cup of milk and simmer for another 2–3 minutes until creamy. This makes a rich homemade chai latte with a perfect balance of spice and milk.
4. Add sugar, jaggery, or honey to taste, stirring until fully dissolved. Turn off the heat, strain the tea into cups, and serve hot. Enjoy your authentic Indian spiced tea, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon tea break.
Tips for Making Authentic Masala Chai
- Always use fresh spices for the best flavored tea. Use Assam tea (Chai Patti) for strong and bold taste, or Darjeeling tea for a lighter flavor.
- Boil the tea enough so that the spices and tea leaves get time to release all their goodness.
- You can adjust the amount of each spice as per your liking. For example, more ginger for a strong taste, more cardamom for sweetness.
- Try not to reheat chai again and again. It tastes best when served hot and fresh.
Serving Suggestions
Masala Chai tastes even better with some snacks. Here are a few Indian snacks you can enjoy with your tea:
- Biscuits (like Parle-G or Marie)
- Pakoras (fried vegetable fritters)
- Samosas
- Toast with butter
Masala Chai is not just a drink, it’s an emotion for many Indian people. Whether it’s a rainy day, a morning wake-up drink, or a way to relax in the evening, a cup of homemade masala chai brings comfort and joy. With this detailed recipe, you can now make tea easily at home and enjoy the rich flavors of Indian spices.
Frequently asked questions
Masala tea, or masala chai, is a traditional Indian tea made by brewing black tea with a blend of aromatic Indian spices, herbs, milk, and sugar.
Yes, you can make a dairy-free version of masala tea by using plant-based milk or just water for a lighter tea.
Masala chai tastes best when served immediately. You can store it for a few hours, but reheating may slightly alter the flavor.
Recipe Card
Masala Chai (Indian Spiced Tea)
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Mortar and pestle or rolling pin (for crushing spices)
- 1 Strainer
- 2 Cups or mugs
- 2 Spoon for stirring
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk full cream preferred for richness
- 2 tsp black tea leaves Assam or Darjeeling
- 2 tsp sugar adjust to taste
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger crushed or grated
- 3 green cardamom pods slightly crushed
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 3 black peppercorns optional, for a stronger chai
- Optional A pinch of fennel seeds or a tiny bit of nutmeg
Instructions
- Lightly crush ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin. Do not grind them into powder, just enough to release the aromas.
- Add 1 cup of water to a saucepan and add the crushed spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3–4 minutes until aromatic.
- Add 2 teaspoons of black tea leaves to the boiling water. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes. For stronger tea, you can simmer slightly longer.
- Pour in 1 cup of milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the tea becomes creamy and well-blended.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons of sugar (or adjust to taste). Mix everything well until the sugar dissolves.
- Note: For healthier versions, use jaggery powder or honey, but add them after turning off the heat.
- Turn off the heat. Strain the Masala chai into cups using a fine mesh strainer. Serve hot with Indian snacks like samosa and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh, whole Indian spices for the most authentic taste.
- Assam tea gives a stronger flavor, while Darjeeling tea makes a milder tea.
- Adjust spice quantities to your preference, you can add more ginger for spiciness, more cardamom for sweetness.
- Avoid reheating chai multiple times, it tastes best fresh and hot.
