Aromatic Masala tea in cup, spices and brown sugar on grey table, flat lay
Masala chai is a traditional Indian spiced tea made by simmering bold black tea with whole spices, ginger, milk, and a touch of sweetener. It’s aromatic, cozy, and deeply comforting—perfect for mornings or winding down after a long day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
3 green cardamom pods
2 cloves
10 black peppercorns
1/8 tsp fennel seeds
1 small stick of cinnamon
2 tsp crushed fresh ginger
1 tbsp loose black tea (or 2 tea bags)
2 cups water
1.5–2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
Sugar or jaggery, to taste
Instructions
- Grind cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, fennel seeds, and cinnamon using a spice grinder until coarsely ground.
- Crush fresh ginger using a mortar and pestle.
- In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water, ground spices, and ginger to a boil. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Add black tea and simmer for 2–3 more minutes, depending on desired strength.
- Add milk and bring to a boil. Let it bubble up, then reduce heat. Repeat bubbling 2–3 times.
- Sweeten with sugar or jaggery to taste.
- Simmer for 2–3 more minutes, then strain into cups and serve hot.
Notes
- Use Assam tea for a bold flavor or Darjeeling for a lighter version.
- Whole milk is traditional, but oat milk gives a creamy vegan option.
- Jaggery offers a more earthy sweetness than white sugar.
- Adjust spices based on preference—every household has its own blend.
- No need to peel ginger before crushing; the peel adds flavor and nutrients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
