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Masala Chai (tea) served in a glass with sugar and spices placed around.

Masala Chai (Masala Tea)

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Masala Chai, also known as Masala Tea, is a renowned Indian beverage cherished globally for its spicy, aromatic flavor. Traditionally crafted with black tea powder, freshly crushed spices, ginger, milk, and sugar, this invigorating drink is ideally enjoyed hot, often serving as a refreshing start to the morning or a soothing evening treat.
Course Tea
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 cup
Calories 131
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Water
  • 2 cup Milk
  • 2 Cinnamon Stick small piece
  • 1 Star Anise
  • 10 Peppercorn
  • 3 Cloves
  • 3 Cardamom
  • 1 tsp Ginger chopped
  • 2 tsp Black Tea Powder
  • 3 tsp Brown Sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preparing Chai Masala Powder

  • To prepare Chai Masala Powder, crush star anise, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, cloves, and cardamom into a coarse powder. If you're making a larger batch, follow our detailed Chai Masala Powder recipe.
    Crushed masala tea spices on a white plate.

Making Masala Chai

  • Begin by heating water in a saucepan over medium heat. When the water is just starting to warm, add the black tea powder.
    Adding tea powder to water in saucepan.
  • Let the tea simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the tea flavors to fully infuse into the water.
    Tea brewing in a saucepan.
  • Add the chopped ginger, your freshly made masala powder, milk, and sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly, ensuring a balanced flavor.
    Adding brown sugar to milk tea mixture.
  • Continue to stir occasionally, keeping an eye on the chai as it starts to bubble. This step is crucial to prevent overflowing and ensure even flavor distribution. You might think there’s time to step away, but trust me, there isn’t. This is often where many people go wrong in making chai. That's why I've dedicated a section below on how to avoid boiling over.
    Masala chai puffing up.
  • Wait for the chai to become frothy; this froth indicates that it has reached the perfect brewing point. Once frothy, remove the chai from the heat.
    Stirring the Masala Tea with spoon.
  • Strain the chai through a fine mesh strainer to remove any solid spices and tea leaves, ensuring a smooth texture. Your delicious and comforting Masala Chai is now ready to enjoy.
    Filtering the Masala Chai (tea).

Serving

  • Enjoy this soothing Masala Chai in the morning with breakfast or as an evening drink alongside your favorite snacks. It's also great for soothing your throat when needed.
    Serving the masala tea in a serving glass.

Notes

Here are my tips for making the perfect Masala Chai at home:
  • The Art of Brewing: For the best flavor, gently simmer the tea powder and spices in milk until a lovely froth appears. This froth signals that your chai is perfectly brewed.
  • Low Heat is Key: To avoid burning the milk or spices, always simmer your chai on low heat. This slow brewing process helps to extract maximum flavor from the spices and tea leaves without scorching them.
  • Infuse Longer for Stronger Flavor: If you enjoy a stronger, more robust chai, let the spices and tea leaves infuse in the hot milk and water for a longer period before straining. Just keep the heat low to prevent boiling over.
  • Getting the Mix Right: Achieving the perfect Masala Tea is all about the balance of ingredients. Carefully measure your spices, tea, and sweeteners to create a harmonious blend.
  • Spice It Up: Using freshly crushed spices will add an intense burst of flavor to your chai. You can also prepare a larger batch of crushed spices to have ready for future brews, saving time without sacrificing taste.
  • Rich and Creamy: For a thicker, creamier chai, stick with a 1:2 ratio of water to milk. This will give your chai the texture that makes it so comforting.
  • Sweet Choices: Brown sugar is my go-to for its depth of flavor, but you can also experiment with white sugar or honey. Each sweetener brings its own unique taste and can be adjusted according to your preference.
  • Customize Your Spice Blend: Experiment with the proportions of each spice to find what best suits your palate. Some might prefer a more pronounced cardamom or cinnamon flavor, while others might enjoy the warmth of extra ginger.
  • Healthier Options: If you’re looking for a healthier version, consider using a sugar substitute or reducing the amount of sweetener. You can also use skim milk or a plant-based milk alternative for a lighter version.
  • Prevent Boiling Over: You may wonder how to prevent the tea from boiling over. Be sure to check the dedicated section below, where I've provided valuable tips. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 97mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g

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