Chai, is not only an ordinary beverage for Indians, it’s better said an emotion for us. To begin the day or treating the guests, chai is customary in every Indian household. And the tradition is still going on with the same fervor, unaffected with the numbers of counterparts available in markets.

With the growing numbers of the all new tea-centric restaurants and start-ups this is showing up as the latest trend. The young generation is also attached to their national drink as having chai is the new ‘kool’. 

The chai is known to various interesting nicknames in our country as: Kam Doodh (less milk), Zyaada Doodh (more milk), Pheeki Chai- without milk, Kadak (well cooked), Cutting (half cup), Special cutting (half cup with more milk and spices), Adrak Elaichi Chai (Ginger-Cardamom tea).

Interestingly Indian chai is amongst the most favourite beverage all over the globe after coffee. Our milk tea with mixed spices is known to different names internatinally, as- Chai Tea, Chai Tea Latte, Indian Masala Chai etc. The most popular among them is ‘Chai Tea’ which is made with a mixture of five authentic Indian spices (cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and dried ginger) and tea powder (strong black tea) mixed with boiling water milk and sugar. In some variations, cream is also added. 

Let us try our hands with the making of a perfect cup of Chai tea or commonly known as masala chai to us.

Ingredients of Masala Chai

•    Purabi Milk: 1 ½  cup

•    Cloves : 4

•    Cardamom:  2/3

•    Cinnamon: 1 stick

•    Star Anise: 1

•    Dry ginger: 1/3 teaspoon

•    Water:  1 cup

•    Assam Tea leaves: 1 teaspoon (CTC preferred)

•    Sugar: 2 teaspoon

# PS: Measurement is given for two cups only and as per personal choice. Please adjust the ingredients accordingly.

Method:

Step 1: Before beginning with the recipe, take some boiled water to your teacups and set aside. [This is to keep your tea hot for a longer time.]

Step 2: Take all the whole spices in a flat pan and dry roast them until they become fragrant.

Step 3: Now take them to a mortal pestle and crush the spices gently (Don’t crush them too much) 

Step 4: Boil water in a saucepan and add sugar and all the crushed spices. Cover and simmer on low heat.

Step 5: In a separate pan boil milk on low heat.

Step 6: Now add tea leaves to the boiling water and boil for 5-6 minutes with a cover, on lowest heat possible.

Step 7: Drain the hot waters from the cups and pour the tea, add milk, stir and Enjoy!

Chef’s tip: To make the process even easier make your own chai masala ready. Take some cardamom, star anise, cloves, cinnamon and dried ginger and lightly roast them followed by grinding them to a fine powder to use for weeks.    

This is how you can make your perfect cup of tea every time for you,or for your friends and family. For the best results always add fresh and pure Purabi milk to embrace that divine taste to your cup!