Masala Chai or Masala Tea is a very popular Indian drink made using tea leaves, milk and chai masala powder. It’s a perfect drink to sip on throughout the day. Here is how to make Masala Chai at home (Step by Step + Video).
Masala Chai is extremely popular, not just in India but the world over. Don’t you agree? You’ll be greeted by tea shops and cafes dishing out expensive cups of this humble chai. What most people don’t realize is that masala chai is extremely easy to make and can be made very easily at home.
During the winters, there is nothing like treating yourself to a hot cup of masala tea in the evenings with a few slices of cake or Indian snacks. Some of the other famous tea recipes I’ve posted are: Adrak Wali Chai and Kashmiri Kahwa Tea.
Tea has become a quintessential part of our day and all of us eagerly look forward to chai time every evening. This masala chai has all the tantalizing flavours to make your chai time or evening tea a lot more enjoyable, it’s one of my all-time favourite teas to make. What’s your favourite tea?
It goes well with pretty much any tea time snack, be it sweet or savoury. If you’re looking for a vegan chai option, you can also substitute milk with your favourite nut milk and enjoy.
Traditionally, the tea masala is made at home by grinding the dry herbs together, but if you’re short of time, then you can prepare the masala is advance and quickly whip up this heavenly concoction.
If you plan on making the masala at home, here’s a recipe you could try: Chai Masala Recipe. So the next time you have guests coming over for tea, do give this masala chai recipe try. They are definitely going to enjoy the flavours of this chai.
In different households, the chai masala is prepared in a different manner depending on what flavours are enjoyed in the household. During the winter season, this chai is a brilliant drink as it keeps the body warm and it’s one of the preferred choices to fight the harsh winters. So come let’s see how to make it.
History of Masala Tea
“The ‘”chai” you find in nearly any coffeehouse has a history that dates back thousands of years. Ancient “masala chai” (“spiced tea“) is steeped in tales of royalty and herbal medicine and has evolved over the years to include countless variations and a worldwide fan base. This is masala chai’s history, beginning where it originated the ancient kingdoms of South Asia and ending with how it permeated the corner coffee shops of America” – Read more here.
What is Masala Chai?
Masala Chai is Indian milk tea flavoured with a fragrant mix of whole spices. Apart from chai masala, you can also add some ginger and tulsi to your Masala Chai tea to make it even more flavourful.
What is the difference between Chai and Masala Chai?
Chai is plain Indian milk tea. It is made using water, milk, tea leaves and sugar. However, Masala Chai has a special spice mix added to it which gives it a very unique taste.
How to make Masala Chai?
To make this tea, heat water in a small saucepan and to this add in the Chai Masala Powder. You can use store bought chai masala powder, it’s a mix of spices like cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, some black pepper and sometimes fennel seed and nutmeg is also added or make your own using this recipe.
The masala is added in and the tea is boiled for a few minutes. To this add in the sugar and tea leaves and boil it for one more minute. Then milk is added in and boiled for a few minutes on medium heat. Finally the loose leaves are strained and it’s best to serve this masala chai hot.
Homamade Chai Masala Powder definitely gives much better flavour to your Masala Chai Recipe.
Masala Chai Ingredients
To make Masala Tea Recipe, you need a good chai masala ( Homemade is the best), milk, black tea leaves and sugar. You can also add ginger and tulsi to your tea. There are Masala Chai Tea Bags available in the market which have a combination of tea leaves and Chai Masala Mix but I still prefer a home brewed Chai from scratch any day.
I generally use black tea leaves from Red Lable Tea. But you can choose any good brand.
How to make homemade Masala Chai Spice Mix
Homemade Chai Masala gives the masala chai a very delicious taste. It is very economical to make at home and the result is much better than the store bought ones. I have a detailed to make Homemade Chai Masala here but if you need a quick recipe, here it is.
You can skip or add any other spice of your choice. The below mentioned ratio of spices works for me best but they are definitely customisable.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Cloves
- 1/4 cup Green Cardamom
- 1/4 cup Cinnamon Stick
- 1/4 cup Black Peppercorns
- 2 tbsp Rose Petals Dried
- 2 tbsp Fennel Seeds / saunf
- 2 tbsp Dry Ginger Powder
- 1 Nutmeg Crushed
- Mix all the ingredients in a blender and blend to make a coarse powder.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Use ½ tsp of this powder for 2 cups of Indian masala chai.
Benefits of Masala Chai Tea
- Prevents Cold
- Anti Inflammatory
- Relieves PMS
- Improves Digestion
- Regulate Diabetes
- Boost metabolism
Side Effects of Masala Chai Tea
If you take Masala Chai in excess, it might have following side effects
- Anxiety and Restlessness
- You can get addicted
- Sleep Deprivation
- Dehydration
What to serve with Masala Chai?
You can serve masala chai as is or with cookies and namkeen mixture. You can also serve tea cakes, Murukku, Makhana Namkeen, Cornflakes Chivda or Namak Pare along with it.
I also like to have tea with stuffed paratha like aloo paratha, ajwain paratha, masala paratha and even chole bhature 🙂
Butter toast or bun tastes amazing with a cup of masala chai, do try 🙂
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How to make Masala Chai Video Recipe
Masala Chai Recipe
Masala Chai
Masala Chai or Masala Tea is a very popular Indian drink made using tea leaves, milk and chai masala powder.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Water
- 1 tsp Chai Masala Powder
- 2 tsp Black Tea Leaves I used Taj mahal tea
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 2 tsp Sugar adjust according to your taste
Instructions
Heat water in a pan.
Add Chai masala Powder and boil for 2-3 minutes.
Add sugar and tea leaves and boil for a minute.
Now add milk and boil for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
Strain and serve immediately.
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Check out other tea recipes here.
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