Authentic Homemade Indian Chai Tea Recipe
why make this recipe
Making authentic homemade Indian chai tea brings a taste of India right into your kitchen. It’s not just a drink; it’s a whole experience. With rich flavors from spices and well-brewed tea, chai tea can warm you up on chilly days or refresh you on warm ones. Plus, you can customize it to your liking!
how to make Authentic Homemade Indian Chai Tea
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
- 1 cup whole milk (240 ml)
- 2 to 3 heaped teaspoons loose Assam black tea leaves (about 6 to 9 g)
- 3 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced or grated (about 5 g)
- 1 small cinnamon stick about 1 inch
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 black peppercorns
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
Directions:
- Lightly crush the 3 green cardamom pods with the back of a spoon. Thinly slice or grate the 1 inch piece of ginger. Set aside the cinnamon stick, cloves, and peppercorns.
- In a small saucepan, put 1 cup of water and add the crushed cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns. Bring this to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Lower the heat and let the spiced water simmer for 3 to 4 minutes so the flavors mix. If you prefer a stronger spice flavor, simmer a bit longer.
- Add 2 to 3 heaped teaspoons of loose Assam tea to the spiced water and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir once, but avoid over-boiling the tea, as it can become bitter.
- Pour in 1 cup of whole milk and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar, adjusting to your taste. Increase the heat and watch carefully as the mixture will foam and can boil over.
- When the chai starts to rise to a gentle boil, reduce heat and let it simmer for an extra 1 to 2 minutes to blend the tea, milk, and spices. Skim any scum if you want a cleaner cup.
- Turn off the heat when the color and aroma are to your liking; for a stronger brew, leave it on low for an extra minute, and for a lighter taste, remove it sooner.
- Strain the chai through a fine sieve into cups, pressing the leaves and spices lightly to extract all the flavor.
- Serve hot. If you want a frothy café-style chai, pour it back and forth between two containers a few times. Alternatively, you can make a concentrated spiced tea in advance and store it in the fridge to mix with hot milk later.
how to serve Authentic Homemade Indian Chai Tea
Serve the chai hot in your favorite cups. You can enjoy it plain or with some cookies or biscuits on the side. It’s perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or any time you want a warm drink.
how to store Authentic Homemade Indian Chai Tea
While chai is best enjoyed fresh, you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm it gently on the stove. If it has thickened, you may add a little extra milk or water to get it back to the desired consistency.
tips to make Authentic Homemade Indian Chai Tea
- Use fresh spices for robust flavor.
- Adjust the sugar according to your taste preference.
- For a creamier chai, you can use evaporated milk instead of whole milk.
- Experiment with other spices like nutmeg or star anise for a unique twist.
variation
You can make a vegan version of chai by using almond milk, coconut milk, or any other plant-based milk in place of whole milk. The spices remain the same, but the flavor profile will vary slightly.
FAQs
1. What kind of tea do I need for authentic chai?
You should use loose Assam black tea leaves for the best flavor.
2. Can I use pre-packaged tea bags for chai?
Yes, you can use tea bags, but loose leaves give a richer taste.
3. How can I make my chai less sweet?
You can simply reduce or eliminate the sugar according to your taste preferences. You may also try natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Authentic Homemade Indian Chai Tea
Ingredients
Method
- Lightly crush the green cardamom pods with the back of a spoon. Thinly slice or grate the ginger. Set aside the cinnamon stick, cloves, and peppercorns.
- In a small saucepan, put 1 cup of water and add the crushed cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns. Bring this to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Lower the heat and let the spiced water simmer for 3 to 4 minutes so the flavors mix.
- Add loose Assam tea to the spiced water and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour in whole milk and add sugar, adjusting to your taste. Increase heat carefully as the mixture can foam and boil over.
- When the chai starts to rise to a gentle boil, reduce heat and let it simmer for an extra 1 to 2 minutes.
- Turn off the heat when the color and aroma are to your liking. For a stronger brew, leave it on low for an extra minute.
- Strain the chai through a fine sieve into cups, pressing the leaves and spices lightly.