Tandoori Chai is a delicious twist on the regular tea where Masala Chai is smoked by putting in hot kulhad or clay mug. Here is how to make it at home.
I am sure everyone is aware of one of the most popular beverages of India, Masala Tea.
Just like Filter Coffee is a must in every South Indian household in the morning, Masala Tea is a must in North Indian households.
Well, actually in some South Indian homes too!
Not only in homes, but you will also find many street sellers serving Masala Tea on the side of the streets in the wee hours of the morning along with some delicious breakfast items or snacks.
With its growing popularity, now sellers are coming up with new and innovative techniques of serving tea, and the latest one to join this bandwagon is TANDOORI CHAI.
It is an old and traditional way of making Chai, but it was limited to only some houses that follow the traditional method of making Tea.
But, now, it has become a trend and can be found in many small tea shops and restaurants.
It was firstly started in Pune by a famous tea shop, and since then many people have started using this technique to give the simple Chai a twist.
It also has a slightly different flavor, which it gets from the hot Kulhad, a clay pot used to make this Chai.
But what’s more interesting is that you don’t need to visit or look for these places to enjoy this smoky Chai, you can very easily make it at home.
What is Tandoori Chai?
It is your same old masala chai with a new technique of preparing it.
In this recipe, chai is made in a usual way and then poured in a hot clay pot so that it absorbs the flavors of the clay pot and gives it a distinct taste and smoky flavor.
The clay pot is heated directly on the flame just like we heat coal to smoke our recipes.
You can even heat the clay pots in an oven.
Once the clay pot is very hot, put it in a steel bowl and then pour the tea.
The tea will ooze out in the steel pot, as the clay pot is hot.
Once done, it is poured in another clean clay pot and served.
Ingredients
You just need the usual tea ingredients for Tandoori Chai Recipe too, such as – Milk, Water, Black Tea, Sugar, and Chai Masala.
I sometimes like to skip sugar and add jaggery powder in the tea for a healthy alternative.
Can you make this chai without kulhad?
You will need a clay pot or any earthen pot to make Tandoori Chai, as you need to heat it on direct flame.
Where to get Kulhad from?
The easiest way of getting Kulhad is from the local market.
They are easily available with the traditional clay pot vendors who also sell other clay pot items such as Matka at a very reasonable price.
But as it is growing popular day by day, you can also find it in utensil shops.
If you don’t find it anywhere you can also find it online on websites such as Amazon etc.
Step By Step Recipe
Heat water in a pan.
Add black tea, sugar, chai masala and bring the water to a boil.
Add milk.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes on low flame. and then strain the tea.
Heat a clay mug on direct flame until very hot. Keep rotating the mug while heating.
Now keep the hot mug in a pan.
Strain the tea in the hot clay pot.
The tea will ooze out because of the heated clay pot.
Pour the tea in the hot mug.
Tandoori Chai Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tsp Black Tea
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Chai Masala Powder
Instructions
- Heat water in a pan.
- Add black tea, sugar, chai masala and bring the water to a boil.
- Add milk and cook for another 2-3 minutes on low flame. Strain the tea and keep aside.
- Heat a clay mug on direct flame until very hot.
- Keep rotating the mug while heating.
- Now keep the hot mug in a pan.
- Pour the tea in the hot mug.
- Let it sizzle for a minute.
- Pour the tea in another clean cup and serve.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!