Chai ya Maziwa (Kenyan Spiced Milk Tea)
In short: Strong black tea simmered in the pot with milk, ginger, cardamom and sugar until deep amber, the sweet, creamy cup poured for every Kenyan guest. It takes about 17 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 17 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 120 kcal
Chai is the heart of Kenyan hospitality. Loose black tea is usually boiled in the pot together with milk and water rather than steeped in a cup, so it turns deep amber and creamy, then gets sweetened generously. Fresh ginger and cardamom are common additions, especially on cool mornings. It is poured for visitors, served with mandazi or chapati at breakfast and sold hot from flasks at roadside stalls. The long boil makes it stronger and sweeter than tea made in a cup.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan with the ginger, cardamom and cinnamon, if using. Boil for 2 minutes so the spices release their aroma.
- Add the tea leaves and boil for 1 to 2 minutes, until the water turns dark.
- Pour in the milk and add the sugar. Bring back to a gentle boil over medium heat and watch it closely so it does not boil over.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the tea is deep amber and creamy.
- Strain through a fine sieve into cups or a warm flask. Serve hot with mandazi or chapati.
Tips
- Use a wide pot and stay nearby, because milk tea foams up and boils over quickly. If it rises, lift the pot off the heat for a moment, then return it.
- Simmer a minute or two longer for a darker, stronger chai. Leave out the spices for plain milk tea, which is how many households drink it every day.
Questions and answers
What kind of tea is used for Kenyan chai?
A strong, granular black tea works best because it stands up to the milk and the long boil. Any robust loose black tea, or 4 tea bags, can stand in.
Can I make chai without milk?
Yes. Use 1 liter (4 cups) of water and skip the milk to get black tea, which can still be sweetened and spiced.
Why do Kenyans boil the tea with the milk?
Boiling them together pulls out more flavor and gives a rounder, creamier, sweeter cup than steeping, and one pot makes enough for the whole household.
How long does it take to make Chai ya Maziwa (Kenyan Spiced Milk Tea)?
About 17 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chai ya Maziwa (Kenyan Spiced Milk Tea)?
About 120 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
