Chai Masala is a blend of whole spices, and sometimes herbs, ground finely to make your tea taste even better. It's a crucial ingredient in Indian Masala Chai or Chai Tea Latte. Using this spice mix not only boosts the flavor of your regular milk tea but also offers health benefits to your daily tea routine.
What You’ll Find On This Page
In India, tea is more than just a drink—it's a daily tradition, with Masala Chai being especially popular. During the colder and rainy seasons, it's enjoyed as a cozy beverage. The blend of healthy spices in the recipe helps soothe sore throats and calm coughs, making it not only delicious but also beneficial.
Making your own Chai Masala Powder ensures it's always fresh and of the highest quality. For convenience, prepare a large batch and store it in an airtight container, so it's ready to enhance your tea whenever you like.
Discover Healthy Herbal Tea Recipes.
Ingredients Overview
For an authentic Chai Masala, gather these spices, each bringing its unique flavor to create a perfectly balanced and delicious blend. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fennel Seeds: These seeds not only add a delightful aroma but also have a cooling effect and aid in digestion.
- Cardamom: This vibrant green spice infuses your chai with an exotic, aromatic essence.
- Pepper Powder: Adds a touch of spice for a slight kick and is a traditional remedy for colds and coughs.
- Cloves: These potent spices contribute an earthy, robust flavor to your tea.
- Nutmeg: Introduces a subtle sweetness and a warming sensation.
- Ginger Powder: Known for improving digestion, it gives a warm and soothing taste.
- Cinnamon Sticks: These lend a natural sweetness and a distinctive flavor to the classic masala tea.
How to Make Chai Masala at Home?
Let's make this aromatic and healthy Chai Masala with our easy-to-follow recipe, complete with step-by-step photos and videos. We'll start by gathering and measuring the ingredients, then blend them into a coarse powder. Here’s how to do it:
Explore an Array of Tea Recipes:
Chai Masala Powder (Tea Masala)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Fennel Seeds
- 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 2 tbsp Cloves
- 3 tbsp Green Cardamom
- 1 Nutmeg, grated
- 1½ tsp Ginger Powder
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks, small
Instructions
Making Chai Masala
- Start by gathering fennel seeds, cardamom, pepper powder, nutmeg, ginger powder, and cinnamon sticks. Place all the ingredients into a blender.
- Blend the ingredients until they form a coarse powder. Use the pulse setting in short bursts to help break down tougher spices like cinnamon sticks. This method prevents overblending, which can cause the spices to release oils and become clumpy.
- Transfer the freshly blended Chai Masala powder to an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight to maintain its aromatic freshness over time.
Using
- Use this homemade Chai Masala to enhance either milk tea or black tea, creating a flavorful and aromatic Masala Chai to suit your taste. For a refreshing and richly flavored Masala Chai, start with about ¼ teaspoon of Chai Masala powder for every 2 cups of milk and tea leaves. Feel free to adjust the proportion to match your taste preferences.
Save This Recipe!
We'll email you the post link so you can come back later!
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Precise Measurement: Achieving the ideal Chai Masala is all about balance. Be precise with your spice measurements to capture the classic taste of this beloved blend. Correct proportions prevent flavors from becoming too strong or pungent, ensuring a warm and inviting cup of tea.
- Ginger Options: While this recipe uses ginger powder, you can also use dried ginger, or freshly crushed ginger if you're making a small batch and plan to use it right away. This will boost your brew with fresh ginger's vibrant flavor and extra health benefits.
- Experiment with Ratios: Personalize your Chai Masala by adjusting the spice ratios to suit your taste. Some might prefer a spicier mix with more ginger or pepper, while others might enjoy the sweetness of cinnamon and cardamom.
- Health Boosts: To further enhance the health benefits of your Chai Masala, consider adding turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties. The black pepper in your mix will help increase the absorption of beneficial compounds from the turmeric, maximizing its health effects.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
How to Use Chai Masala Powder?
This versatile Chai Masala Powder isn't just for Masala Chai; it can also enhance plain black tea, making it perfect for a warm, soothing beverage. It’s especially comforting if you have a cold, cough, or an itchy throat. Enjoy the rich flavors and therapeutic benefits in every cup.
For a flavorful twist on your regular Indian tea, add ¼ teaspoon of this tea masala powder for every 2 cups of milk.
Storage Suggestions
To keep your Chai Masala Powder fresh and flavorful, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposure to heat, moisture, and direct sunlight to preserve its aromatic qualities. For optimal freshness, consider storing the powder in a dark place. This way, your Chai Masala will maintain its vibrant flavors and aromas for every use.
Benefits of Chai Masala
Chai Masala isn't just a flavor enhancer for tea—it's packed with health benefits. According to Healthline, here's how it helps:
- Controls Nausea: Ginger, a key ingredient, is known for its anti-nausea properties. It helps alleviate vomiting sensations and aids digestion.
- Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Cloves and pepper in the mix contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, improving heart health and boosting immunity.
- Relief for Cold and Cough: Chai Masala soothes throat infections and alleviates cold and cough symptoms, making it a helpful remedy during illness
Even though Chai Masala is generally considered healthy, make sure to check if you're allergic to any of the ingredients in the spice mix. If you are, you might need to find a suitable alternative to avoid any adverse reactions.
Linda Jones says
Do you grind peppercorns to get "pepper powder"? Also can you give brands of spices you use to make the chai masala powder?
Sangeetha Vel says
Hi Linda,
I crushed peppercorns to get pepper powder and bought the spices in Indian grocery store. But you can also use the pepper powder directly. Some of spices are also available in Walmart packed in jars but you will find all of the spices in Indian stores. And, honestly it's all good to make the spice powder. So, I don't worry too much about the brand. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know.
Thanks