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Masala Chai Recipe
5 from 18 votes

Masala Chai Recipe

This Masala Chai recipe features black tea simmered with a blend of whole spices including cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, and ginger. The spices are ground fresh to add depth, and milk and optional sweeteners provide creaminess and balance. The result is a spiced, aromatic tea with a rich, warming flavor.

Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
12 mins
Calories: 49 kcal
Course: Breakfast, Drinks, Snacks
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 2¼ cups water add less water for creamy chai
  • 2 teaspoons black tea loose
  • ½ to ¾ cups milk add more milk for creamy chai
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 4 green cardamom
  • 6 black peppercorns
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 inch ginger or ½ teaspoon ground ginger powder, fresh
Optional ingredients
  • lemon grass
  • mint
  • rose petals

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add water to a sauce pan on medium-high heat.
  2. Coarsely grind the whole spices in a mortar and pestle. Add to the hot water. Note: you can add ½ teaspoon of chai masala instead of grinding spices.
  3. Coarly grind fresh ginger and add to the saucepan.
  4. Allow the water to come to a gentle boil and then add black tea. Optionally add fresh mint leaves, lemon grass, or dried rose petals if you like.
  5. Bring to a full boil on medium-high heat, lower the heat, and allow the tea to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
  6. Add milk, and sugar to taste. Bring the chai to a full boil and allow to simmer for a minute or two. Turn the heat off.
  7. Strain the tea into individual cups.

Notes

  • Adjust water and milk ratio to control creaminess of the chai, using half water and half milk for thicker results.
  • To make stronger chai, allow it to boil for about five minutes after adding milk.
  • For lighter chai, use more water, low-fat milk, and shorter simmering times after adding tea and milk.
  • Sweeten to taste or enjoy without sugar; different sweeteners can be used as preferred.
  • Fresh mint, lemongrass, or dried rose petals can be added to personalize the flavor.

Nutrition Information

Calories 49kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 2g (3%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g (1%) Monounsaturated Fat 0.4g (2%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 5mg (2%) Sodium 44mg (2%) Potassium 160mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 64IU (1%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 109mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 49

% Daily Value*

Calories 49kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 44mg 2%
Potassium 160mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 64IU 1%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 109mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.