Indian
Masala Chai
The morning chai that wakes India — strong tea boiled with ginger, cardamom, cloves and milk till deep ochre-brown. No tea bags, no rules — just heat, spice and time.
Prep
3 min
Cook
8 min
Serves
2
Per serving
158kcal
Protein
6g
Carbs
18g
Fat
7g
Fibre
0g
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cupsWater
- 1 1/2 cupsMilk
- 3 tspLoose black tea leaves (CTC)
- 4 tspSugar
- 1 tbspGinger, crushed
- 4 podsGreen cardamom, crushed
- 2Cloves
- 2 podsBlack pepper (optional)
- 1 inchCinnamon stick (optional)
Method
- 1
In a saucepan combine water, crushed ginger, cardamom, cloves, pepper and cinnamon. Bring to a rolling boil and let it boil hard for 2 minutes — this extracts the spices.
- 2
Add the tea leaves and continue boiling 1 minute. The water should turn deep red-brown.
- 3
Pour in the milk. Bring back to a rolling boil over medium-high heat — watch carefully so it doesn''t boil over.
- 4
Let it boil for 2 more minutes, lifting and lowering the heat to control the foam.
- 5
Add sugar, stir to dissolve, simmer 1 more minute.
- 6
Strain through a fine sieve into 2 cups. Serve piping hot.