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Indian Masala Chai is a spiced tea beverage originating from the Indian subcontinent, made by simmering black tea with a blend of aromatic spices and milk. Its core ingredients typically include black tea leaves, water, milk, sugar, and a warming masala (spice mix) featuring cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.
This is a moderately carbohydrate-rich drink due to the milk and added sugar, providing a quick source of energy. A standard cup contains roughly 60-100 calories, along with small amounts of calcium from the milk and beneficial antioxidants from the tea and spices.
Culturally, Masala Chai is a daily ritual and a symbol of hospitality in India, with each family often having its own secret spice blend. Nutritionally, the spices used are not just for flavor; many, like ginger and cardamom, are prized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for their digestive and warming properties.