Masala chai is more than just a beverage; it’s a warm symbol of hospitality in every Indian home and a soothing escape from the chaos of daily life.
WHAT IS MASALA CHAI?
While coffee kickstarts mornings in Brazil, India greets the day with chai—a beloved traditional tea made with milk. Masala Chai, in particular, is a rich blend of black tea, spices, milk, and sugar. Though the consumption of herbal teas in India dates back centuries, the English introduced the practice of drinking black tea with milk and sugar. Over time, Indians infused this custom with their own flavors by adding aromatic spices, giving birth to masala chai.
Far more than a simple beverage, masala chai embodies hospitality in every Indian home and offers a calming escape from the fast pace of daily life. The term “masala” refers to a mixture of spices, so “Masala Chai” translates directly to “spiced tea.” While there’s no definitive recipe, the essence of masala chai lies in its core ingredients: black tea, spices, milk, and sugar.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ cups water
- 3–4 cm piece of ginger
- 4 cardamom pods
- 4 tbsp black tea
- 3–4 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
INSTRUCTIONS
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Crush the ginger roughly with a pestle or slice it into thin strips.
- Lightly crush the cardamom pods using a mortar.
- Add the ginger and cardamom to the boiling water and let it simmer.
- Stir in the black tea and boil for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the brown sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
- Pour in the milk and mix thoroughly.
- Allow the mixture to boil for 2–3 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and strain the masala chai into a cup.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
