Masala Chai (Spiced Milk Tea)
Local name: मसाला चाय
In short: Strong black tea simmered with milk, sugar and cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove and black pepper. India's everyday tea, made on the stove. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 90 kcal
Masala chai is India's everyday tea: strong black tea simmered with milk, sugar and warming spices such as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove and black pepper. It is sold in clay cups on railway platforms and brewed in kitchens several times a day. The method is simple, but the details matter: simmer the spices first, boil the tea in the water, then add the milk and let it rise once or twice. Pair it with plain biscuits or fried snacks.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan with the ginger, cardamom, clove, cinnamon and peppercorns. Lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add the tea leaves and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, until the liquid turns a deep reddish brown.
- Pour in the milk, add the sugar and raise the heat. When the chai rises to the rim of the pan, lower the heat and let it settle. Repeat this once or twice, for about 2 minutes in total.
- Strain into two cups and serve hot.
Tips
- For a stronger chai, simmer the tea in the water for an extra minute before adding the milk. For a creamier chai, use equal parts water and milk, or more milk than water.
- Make a jar of chai masala by grinding 10 cardamom pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tbsp ground ginger and 1 tsp black pepper. Use 1/2 tsp per 2 cups.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between masala chai and a chai latte?
Masala chai is made by simmering tea leaves, milk and spices together on the stove. Cafe chai lattes are usually made from a sweet spiced concentrate topped with steamed milk.
Can I make masala chai with plant-based milk?
Yes. Oat milk is the most reliable because it does not curdle. Add it after the tea has brewed in the water and heat it gently.
Which tea is best for masala chai?
A strong black tea such as Assam works best, particularly the small granulated kind sold as CTC. Mild teas get lost behind the milk and spices.
How long does it take to make Masala Chai (Spiced Milk Tea)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Masala Chai (Spiced Milk Tea)?
About 90 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 90 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
