Authentic Indian Masala Chai

Name: Authentic Indian Masala Chai
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 400 ml water; 200 ml milk; 2 tsp loose leaf black tea leaves, such as Assam; 1.5 tbsp sugar; 3 green cardamom pods; 0.5 cinnamon stick; 2 whole cloves; 3 black peppercorns; 0.5 tsp ground ginger

Experience the comforting warmth of traditional Indian spiced tea made from scratch. This aromatic blend of black tea, hand-crushed spices, and creamy milk is the perfect soul-soothing drink for any time of day.

Servings2 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time5 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

water
400 ml
milk
200 ml
loose leaf black tea leaves, such as Assam
2 tsp
sugar
1.5 tbsp
green cardamom pods
3
cinnamon stick
0.5
whole cloves
2
black peppercorns
3
ground ginger
0.5 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and black peppercorns into a mortar and pestle. Lightly bash the spices to crack them open and release their aromatic oils, being careful not to grind them into a fine powder.

Transfer the crushed spices into a small saucepan and stir in the ground ginger and loose-leaf black tea leaves.

Pour the water into the pan and place it over low heat. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer, allowing the tea and spices to infuse for 3–5 minutes before the liquid reaches a full boil.

Stir in the milk and your preferred amount of sugar or syrup. Once the tea is heated through and well-combined, remove the pan from the heat. Let it sit for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs and serve hot.

Chef's Tips

For a more robust flavor, use a 1-inch piece of fresh grated ginger instead of ground ginger. You can customize your chai by adjusting the milk-to-water ratio or experimenting with different sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Always use high-quality loose-leaf black tea, such as Assam, for the most authentic taste.