Best 3 Chai Indian Tea Recipes

Chai, also known as "masala chai", is a beloved Indian tea that has gained immense popularity worldwide. Its unique blend of spices and fragrant herbs, such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, gives it a distinctive flavor and aroma. Whether you're looking to unwind at the end of the day or warm up on a chilly morning, a perfectly brewed cup of chai can be the perfect companion. In this article, we'll explore some of the best recipes for making authentic chai, ensuring you can enjoy the full flavor and benefits of this delightful beverage in the comfort of your own home.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHAI (INDIAN TEA)

Chai (Indian Tea) image

Chai is basically black tea brewed with selected spices and milk. This is the most commonly used traditional recipe of the classic Indian spiced tea. Chai tastes are personal and the making of chai requires experimenting with different amounts of spices, milk and ingredients to discover the specific blend of spices to suit your tastes. Be sure to use black tea for this recipe, not green or some other specialized variety.

Provided by - Carla -

Categories Beverages

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups water
1 cup milk
3 black tea bags
3 cardamom pods, crushed in a mortar
2 whole black peppercorns, crushed in a mortar
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1/8 teaspoon ginger powder (optional)
2 cloves
sugar, to taste

Steps:

Once water begins to boil add the cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, ginger (if using) and cloves.
Simmer over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes.
Add milk.
Add black tea bags and simmer 4 to 5 minutes or until the desired strength of tea is reached.
Strain, serve and enjoy!
If you would like to sweeten things up a bit, add enough sugar (or sugar substitute) to suit your taste.

MASALA CHAI (INDIAN SPICED TEA)

masala chai (indian spiced tea) image

this is a classic indian masala chai. i would venture to say half a billion people are drinking some version of this every morning. and for good reason -- it is super delicious!

Provided by Bonnie bonbon

Categories Beverages

Time 15m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 cups water
3 -5 cloves
1 cinnamon stick, crushed
2 -3 cardamom pods, crushed
1/4 cup sugar or 1/4 cup sucanat
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons black tea leaves

Steps:

put the water on the stove and add spices, bring to boil.
cover and let simmer for few minutes.
add sugar or sucanat (whole ground sugar cane--like jaggery) and milk, stir.
bring back to just barely boiling (watch pot, milk will bubble over).
add tea leaves, cover pot, remove from heat.
steep for 5 minutes.
pour through filter to remove spices and tea leaves.

CHAI (SPICED INDIAN TEA)

Chai (Spiced Indian Tea) image

There are several (maybe hundreds ?) other chai recipes posted all over the Internet, but none have quite the lineup of spices that are included in this recipe, which I really liked a lot. It's delicious!

Provided by Vickie Parks

Categories Hot Drinks

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups water
1 cup half & half milk
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (or 1/2 inch cinnamon stick)
1/3 tsp ground cardamom (or 3 cardamom pods)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves (or 2 whole cloves, crushed)
3 bags black tea (green tea and tea blends don't work well)
1/2 to 1 tsp sugar, or to taste

Steps:

1. Place water, half and half, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves in tea pot or saucepot and let it reach a low boil. Stir well, and let boil 2 more minutes.
2. While still boiling, add the tea bags and let it reach desired tea strength.
3. Add sugar as desired, and serve hot.

Tips:

Use Loose Leaf Tea: For the authentic chai experience, opt for loose-leaf black tea instead of tea bags.
Choose High-Quality Spices: Freshly ground spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger elevate the flavor of chai.
Simmer Gently: Don't boil the chai; simmer it gently to extract the flavors without bitterness.
Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar or honey to your preference; jaggery or palm sugar add a unique touch.
Experiment with Variations: Try different types of milk, like coconut or almond milk, and add-ins like ginger, honey, or even chocolate.

Conclusion:

Chai, a rich and flavorful Indian tea, offers a comforting and aromatic experience. Whether you prefer the traditional masala chai or variations like almond chai or dirty chai, there's a recipe for every taste. With its blend of spices and customizable ingredients, chai is a versatile beverage that can be enjoyed hot, iced, or even as a latte. So, embark on a culinary journey and discover the delightful world of chai.