Chai ya Maziwa (Tanzanian Spiced Milk Tea)
Local name: Chai ya maziwa
In short: Strong black tea simmered with fresh ginger, cardamom and cloves, then finished with hot milk and sugar, the everyday drink of Tanzanian mornings. 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
- 100 kcal
Chai ya maziwa is the sweet, milky, spiced tea that Tanzanians drink with breakfast, alongside mandazi or chapati, and whenever guests visit. The tea is simmered with ginger, cardamom and cloves, then milk is added and the pot is brought back just below a boil. It is served very hot and usually well sweetened. Many roadside tea stalls keep a big pot going all day.
Instructions
- Put the water, ginger, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the tea and simmer for 2 minutes until the liquid is dark and strong.
- Pour in the milk and heat gently for 3 to 4 minutes until steaming and just below a boil. Watch the pot closely so it does not boil over.
- Strain into cups, stir in sugar to taste and serve very hot.
Tips
- Use strong, finely cut black tea, often sold as CTC tea. Delicate loose-leaf tea disappears behind the milk and spices.
- For chai ya rangi, the milk-free version, skip the milk and use 1 litre (4 cups) of water, then sweeten with sugar and a squeeze of lemon.
Questions and answers
Can I make chai ya maziwa with plant milk?
Yes. Oat or soy milk works best, but add it at the end and warm it gently, since some plant milks split in hot, spiced tea.
Can I make a big batch?
Yes. Scale up the quantities and keep the tea hot in a thermos for up to 3 hours. Do not reheat it repeatedly, as the flavor turns bitter.
What do you serve with chai ya maziwa?
Mandazi, chapati, samosas and boiled eggs are common companions. In the morning it is often the whole breakfast.
How long does it take to make Chai ya Maziwa (Tanzanian 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 (Tanzanian Spiced Milk Tea)?
About 100 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
