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    Home » Recipe Course » Beverages

    Indian Masala Chai (Spiced Milk Tea)

    March 31, 2021 . By Meeta Arora . 45 Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe
    Two cups of tea with toast on the side

    A warm cup of authentic Indian Masala Chai, prepared with aromatic spices and ginger, to refresh and brighten your morning! 

    Two cups of tea with toast on the side

    Chai is like religion for many people in India. The day does not start until you have a warm cup of kadak Chai (strong tea). If you have any visitors or guests coming to your house, it would almost be considered rude if you don't ask for a cup of chai. All the fun conversations are surrounded around chai!

    You will find street vendors everywhere simmering a large pot of tea. You will hear the popular term in Mumbai "cutting chai", which just means half a cup of tea. You might find it interesting that people have chai multiple times in a day, however the quantity they drink is very less, just a few sips.

    I am a complete chai person, and need my morning and afternoon cup of tea. My favorite is Masala Chai with a blend of whole spices and lots of ginger. It is a perfect way to kickstart the day right. What is your preferred beverage to start the day?

    What makes an authentic Masala Chai is the use of freshly ground whole spices. Fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves...all the flavorful warm spices. Lightly crush them and add them when boiling water for tea.

    Like the popular Garam Masala, every single family in India has their own unique blend of spices they prefer in their masala chai. But one thing is sure, this chai is definitely not like the chai latte you have at Starbucks or Peets. This is authentic Indian Masala Tea with Milk.

    You might also enjoy the very popular Mango Lassi and Masala Chaas (Buttermilk) recipe.

    To say "Chai" or "Chai Tea"?

    You might hear people saying "Chai Tea" commonly in US. However "chai" translates to "tea". So you are almost repeating the same word again 🙂

    Best to use either "chai" or "tea" when asking for your favorite latte or masala tea next time!

    What is Masala Chai?

    Masala means a blend of spices. and the tea brewed along with spices is called Masala Chai.

    You can make Masala Chai with freshly crushing the whole spices when making tea or using a Chai Masala Powder.

    If you make tea everyday, I like the convenience of having the chai masala powder ready and available. It makes it so much easier to make the Chai.

    Ingredients to make masala tea. Masala tea powder, tea leaves, sugar, spices, milk

    What are the ingredients to make Masala Chai?

    The main ingredients to make Masala Tea are very basic and pretty much the same in all recipes. What varies is the quantity of spices or add-ons to flavor the tea. Some like to add lots of ginger, others lots of cardamom and others may prefer only whole spices.

    Basic tea ingredients: 

    • Water
    • Milk - Use whole milk or 2% or even non-fat depending on your taste. You can also use almond or oat milk.
    • Sugar - You can also use another sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
    • Tea leaves - I prefer Wagh Bakri brand as it has the strong flavor we prefer. You can use tea bags too.

    Ingredients to flavor tea:

    • Fresh Ginger
    • Green Cardamom pods
    • Cloves
    • Cinnamon
    • Black Peppercorns

    If you are using an already prepared Chai Masala Blend, you can skip the last 4 ingredients and just add fresh ginger to the tea.

    How to make Masala Chai?

    1. Start with gathering the basic ingredients and the spices you want to add to your chai.
    2. Heat up about 1 ⅓ cup of water in a pot on medium-high heat. (This is for 2 cups of chai)
    3. While water is heating, crush spices using a mortar and pestle or a coffee/spice grinder. Add the crushed spices to the water.
    4. Grate the ginger directly into the pot of water.
    5. Reduce heat to medium and bring the water to a boil.
    6. Now add the tea leaves and let it boil for a minute. You can also add sugar at this time or add it in the cup when serving.
    7. Add ¾ cup of milk and stir it in.
    8. Bring the tea to a boil. The tea can overflow easily, so keep a close eye.
    9. Once the tea comes to a boil. Turn off the gas and cover with a lid for one minute.
    10. Strain the tea in a cup and enjoy!
    Chai in a bowl with spices and a glass filled with tea

    Tips to make the perfect Masala Chai

    • Water to Milk Ratio: This ratio is very much a personal preference. I prefer about ⅔ water to ⅓ whole milk in a cup of Chai. If you like richer, thicker tea, you could use more milk and less water or for a stronger tea, use even lesser milk.
    • Make sure the water is simmering before you add the spices and ginger.
    • Ginger is a must have. Add ginger in water and let it simmer before adding milk, else it can curdle the tea sometimes.
    • Adjust the spices you add to your taste. A few tries and you will know your preference. I like to make Chai Masala blend and have it handy for everyday use.
    • Do not boil the tea leaves for long, just about a minute.
    • You can pick the pot using the pot handle to move it in circular motion carefully. This helps to stir it well.
    Masala Chai in 2 cups

    Benefits of Masala Chai

    Chai on its own is acidic in nature. Adding the ginger and whole spices nullifies the acidic nature of the tea, and adds a number of benefits. The benefits of chai mainly come from the spices added to it. All the spices we add to the chai masala have lots of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

    The main benefit of chai I feel is it reduces my fatigue. Whenever I am tired, a cup of tea always brightens me up. The tannins present in tea help calm the body and revitalize it. Tea also contains caffeine, although in much less quantity than coffee.

    This Masala Chai is:

    • Warm
    • Spicy
    • Gingery
    • Comforting and refreshing
    • Vegetarian & gluten free

    Enjoy Masala Chai by dipping a toast in it or with a cookie. Toast is always my preference. Or have it with some delicious snacks such as Paneer puff pastry, Rava Dhokla, Khaman Dhokla or Vada Pav.

    Tried this recipe?Give a rating by clicking the ★ below
    Two cups of tea with toast on the side

    Indian Masala Chai Recipe (Spiced Milk Tea)

    Meeta Arora
    A warm cup of authentic Indian Masala Chai, prepared with aromatic spices and ginger, to refresh and brighten your morning! 
    4.90 from 66 votes
    Print Save Saved! Pin
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 77
    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten-free, Vegetarian
    Method: Stovetop
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 10 mins

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ⅓ cup Water
    • ⅔ cup Milk Whole milk or 2%, add or reduce to taste
    • 1 inch Ginger freshly grated (about 3oz)
    • 3 teaspoon Tea leaves
    • 2 teaspoon Sugar adjust to taste

    Chai masala spices (can be replaced with ½ tsp prepared Chai Masala)

    • 2 Green Cardamom (Elaichi)
    • 2 Cloves (Laung)
    • ½ inch Cinnamon (Dalchini)
    • 8 Black Peppercorns
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Heat water in a pot on medium-high heat.
    • While water is heating, crush spices using a mortar and pestle or a coffee/spice grinder. Add the crushed spices to the water. (The spices can be replaced with ½ tsp of prepared Chai Masala)
    • Grate the ginger directly into the pot of water. Reduce heat to medium and bring the water to a boil.
    • Add the tea leaves and let it boil for a minute. You can also add sugar at this time or add it in the cup when serving.
    • Add milk and stir it in.
    • Bring the tea to a boil. The tea can overflow easily, so keep a close eye.
    • Once the tea comes to a boil. Turn off the gas and cover with a lid for one minute.
    • Strain the tea in a cup and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Water to Milk Ratio: This ratio is very much a personal preference. I prefer about ⅔ water to ⅓ milk in a cup of Chai. If you like richer, thicker tea, you could use more milk and less water or for a stronger tea, use even lesser milk.
    • Make sure the water is simmering before you add the spices and ginger.
    • Ginger is a must have. Add ginger in water and let it simmer before adding milk, else it can curdle the tea sometimes.
    • Adjust the spices you add to your taste. A few tries and you will know your preference. I like to make Chai Masala blend and have it handy for everyday use.
    • Do not boil the tea leaves for long, just about a minute.
    • You can pick the pot using the pot handle to move it in circular motion carefully. This helps to stir it well.

    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 130IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword authentic chai, Indian masala tea, Masala Chai
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @PipingPotCurry or #pipingpotcurry

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dave says

      November 24, 2022 at 6:54 am

      Delicious and spicy! I love that you can move the quantity slider to adjust quantities. I made it x6 and that was enough for me and my 2 daughters to each have a large mug. I’m glad I found your recipe and I’ve bookmarked your page to to keep coming back for more inspiration.

      Reply
      • Piping Pot Curry says

        November 28, 2022 at 8:30 am

        Soo happy to hear that, Dave! I appreciate your review.

        Reply
    2. Colleen says

      November 05, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      Thank you for the recipe! If I'm using tea bags instead of tea leaves, how many should I use?

      Reply
      • Meeta Arora says

        November 15, 2022 at 12:48 pm

        Hi Colleen - I would use 1 tea bag for each cup of chai.

        Reply
    3. S says

      October 06, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      Wow! So warm and comforting! Best recipe I’ve found. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Piping Pot Curry says

        October 10, 2022 at 1:59 pm

        Hi - So good to hear that 🙂

        Reply
    4. Charlotte Ruth says

      September 18, 2021 at 7:57 am

      I am so happy to get this recipe. I resided in India 18 yrs and made chai every day. Now after living back in US, I forgot the recipe. Thank you very much.

      Reply
      • Piping Pot Curry says

        September 22, 2021 at 2:57 pm

        Hi- So happy to hear that 🙂

        Reply
      • Piping Pot Curry says

        September 28, 2021 at 10:59 am

        Hi - So good to hear that 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sarah Liebowitz says

      September 12, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      I just quit drinking coffee after 30 years! As a child, my family would drink Chai but I never learned how. This recipe has been so helpful, not only in kicking the coffee habit but helping me reclaim a lost tradition. I feel much better physically and don't seem to get the afternoon slump that I was experiencing before. I even keep a little in the refrigerator to drink with ice on very hot days. (shhhhh!) Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Meeta Arora says

        September 15, 2021 at 2:59 pm

        Hi Sarah - So happy to hear that you are enjoying the chai, and it has helped you revive lost traditions.

        Reply
    6. Natalie says

      July 09, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      I am a hospice nurse and was offered some of this at my patients home this morning. It was better than I expected. It made her so happy that I drank it. She told me I was family now. I wish you could the smile it put on her face!

      Reply
      • Meeta Arora says

        July 13, 2021 at 11:21 am

        Hi Natalie - That is so sweet. It is really a culture to serve tea to anyone you welcome at home. I hope you try to make it!

        Reply
    7. Kimberley says

      July 06, 2021 at 8:01 am

      Very comforting, spiritual experience.

      Thank you for sharing with us.

      xoxo

      Reply
      • Meeta Arora says

        July 07, 2021 at 4:08 pm

        Hi Kimberly - Glad to hear you enjoyed the chai.

        Reply
    8. Shobha G says

      May 10, 2021 at 4:37 am

      Hi
      After a lot of trials and errors, I stumbled upon this recipe and made the perfect cuppa..at last!!!!
      Thanks a ton
      Shobha G

      Reply
      • Piping Pot Curry says

        May 10, 2021 at 10:57 am

        Hi Shobha - So good to hear that. Thank you for sharing it 🙂

        Reply
    9. S says

      February 05, 2021 at 5:54 am

      Lovely tea !Can you please share chai masala Recepie

      Reply
      • Meeta Arora says

        February 12, 2021 at 3:56 pm

        Sure, here is the chai masala recipe - https://pipingpotcurry.com/chai-masala-powder/

        Reply
        • Bree says

          April 02, 2021 at 2:24 pm

          This masala chai is so delicious and makes it so much easier to enjoy rather than steeping new spices every time for so long! I add a heaping teaspoon of sweetened condensed milk and a little more sugar to my cup and it’s fantastic.

          It is a bit too spicy for me, a bit numbing on the tongue... what ingredient might have this property so I can adjust?

          Thank you!
          Bree

        • Meeta Arora says

          April 08, 2021 at 3:54 pm

          Hi Bree - You can reduce the amount of black peppercorns and ginger to make it less spicy. glad to hear you liked the method of making chai masala. Hope you enjoy the chai!

    10. Leonie says

      January 07, 2021 at 3:34 pm

      Hi
      Love this chai!
      Is it possible to put milk masala chai in a thermos jag? So my son can take it for work?

      Reply
      • Meeta Arora says

        January 11, 2021 at 4:29 pm

        Hi Leonie - Sure, you can use the just boiled masala chai in a thermos and it works great for 3-4 hours (that's how long I have tried, it might work for longer).

        Reply
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