Masala Chai is a delicious milk tea made with spices. Chai is a ubiquitous beverage in India and Bangladesh. It’s enjoyed both at home and at small street tea stalls, often found along roadsides or near train stations.
It’s not just drunk to wake up in the morning, but several times throughout the day. It’s also a drink offered to visitors upon entering a home.
To make chai, you typically brew black tea with water and then add milk and sugar. But “chai masala” contains spices that give it a unique flavor.
It’s usually prepared with green cardamom and fresh ginger, but other spices like cloves, cinnamon, star anise, or nutmeg can also be added.
The type of tea is crucial for making masala chai. You shouldn’t use the more common varieties like Darjeeling or Assam, which use whole leaves.
To prepare a good masala chai, you always use the Mamri variety, which is black tea with small beans. It has a stronger flavor that, along with the milk and spices, gives the chai body and richness.
Chai is a beverage that has always been and will continue to be an integral part of our daily lives. We greatly enjoy gatherings with friends and family with a cup of chai in hand. Here is the recipe, step by step.
Masala Chai (Milk Tea with Spices)
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | 250 ml |
| Ginger, approximately 1cm thick | Two pieces |
| Green cardamom pods | Two |
| Black tea | Two heaping teaspoons |
| Whole milk | 200 ml |
| Sugar | Two teaspoons |
Method:
- We put water in a saucepan and put it on the fire.
- While the water is heating, crush the ginger pieces in a mortar and pestle and add them to the water. Do the same with the green cardamom pods.
- We let the water boil with ginger and cardamom for a few minutes. Then we add the black tea and let it boil for another two minutes to release all its color.
- Add the milk and sugar. Let the mixture boil for one minute.
- Then we strain it through a small sieve into a teapot or directly into cups and serve it accompanied by any savory snack, crackers or buns.
Nutritional Facts for Masala Chai (Milk Tea with Spices)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 cup | — |
| Calories | 120 kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g | 5% |
| Protein | 4 g | 8% |
| Total Fat | 5 g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 55 mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 220 mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Sugars | 12 g | — |
| Vitamin A | 260 IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 1 mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 150 mg | 12% |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 3% |
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the type of milk, sugar, and spices used. Masala chai is a warm and aromatic Indian tea beverage made with black tea, milk, and flavorful spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000‑calorie diet.