Chai or milk tea
Chai, often called milk tea in many regions, is a spiced tea beverage brewed by simmering black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices and milk. Its core ingredients typically include black tea leaves, milk (dairy or plant-based), sugar, and a blend of spices like cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. This comforting drink is a staple in South Asian cultures, particularly in India, and has gained worldwide popularity.
🍳 View the full Chai or milk tea recipe →
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
A typical serving of sweetened chai is moderately high in carbohydrates primarily from added sugar and lactose, with some fat from the milk. It provides a small amount of protein and calcium from the milk, and its calorie count can range from 100 to 200 calories per cup, depending on the milk type and sugar content.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbs | 20 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
| Calcium | 150 mg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg |
| Vitamin A | 60 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.5 mcg |
| Iodine | 25 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The specific blend of spices in chai, known as 'masala', is often a family secret and can vary greatly, making each cup unique. Nutritionally, the spices like ginger and cinnamon are valued in traditional practices for their potential digestive and warming properties, complementing the energizing effect of the tea's caffeine.
🍽️ Related dishes
AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms