Indian Chai Tea Recipe

Indian · Beverage · 20 min total

A fragrant, spiced Indian tea made by simmering black tea with milk and a blend of aromatic spices. This authentic recipe yields a comforting, creamy cup of chai that's perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons loose black tea (or 2 tea bags)
• 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
• 4-5 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 2-3 whole cloves
• 1 small cinnamon stick (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 4-5 whole black peppercorns
• 1 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
• 2-3 teaspoons sugar (or to taste)

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine water, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
3. Add the black tea leaves (or tea bags) and simmer for another 3-4 minutes, until the tea is dark and fragrant.
4. Pour in the milk and sugar, and bring to a gentle boil. Watch carefully to prevent boiling over.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6. Strain the chai through a fine-mesh sieve into cups. Serve hot.

Tips

• For a stronger chai, increase the tea leaves or steep longer.
• Adjust sweetness to your preference; traditional chai is sweet.
• If using ground spices, reduce quantities by half and add with the tea leaves.
• Chai can be refrigerated and reheated, but best enjoyed fresh.

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