Today is the time to share the recipe for one of the most comforting beverages ever: Indian chai. I see all kinds of chai drinks around and it’s become quite a fashionable drink… so much so that it’s often not the original Indian chai any more and it can get quite confusing. So, what is Indian chai? It’s tea, but it’s not JUST tea. It is a mixture of milk and water (often in equal proportions), tea leaves, sugar and spices that is boiled, strained and served hot. Boiling the milk with the water (instead of adding a dash of it at the end), makes a huge difference, as it makes the chai thick and creamy. Also, it is a sweet and spicy drink… so do not skip the sugar (though you can reduce it slightly if you like)! This is one of those recipes that each family makes slightly differently… some people boil all the ingredients together, some add the tea later, others use more or less spices (click here for my home-made chai masala mix recipe). You get the point. I don’t think there is even a set time for how long to boil the chai for. To give you an idea… some of the best chai is sold by street vendors. You can find chai stalls practically everywhere in India, even in the smallest villages. And their pots of chai are always on the fire… they just keep topping them up! There is something really comforting in sipping a hot cup of spiced chai and munching on some savoury Indian snacks (recipe on the blog very soon!), especially on a cold rainy day. Give it a try and you will be hooked… you won’t buy ready made “chai” anymore – unless you are in India ;-)!
Chai
The original Indian Chai recipe: hearty, aromatic and comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup water
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 4 to 5 tsp sugar
- ¼ to ½ tsp chai masala
- 2 tsp tea leaves
Instructions
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Put the water, milk, chai masala and sugar in a pot, stir and bring to a boil.
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Then add the tea leaves and stir. Let it simmer on a low fire for a couple of minutes.
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Strain and serve hot.
Oh yes, I remember the chai stalls with that creamy, thick frothy loveliness!
Thanks so much Manuela for this recipe. I love chai and I have a trip to India soon. Can’t wait to taste a lot of varieties there and then make this at home!
I was hoping there would be a recipe, I made the ground spices earlier, will give this a go tomorrow.
Sbav… (almeno spero di si’!)
We are totally hooked on chai. Love it!
Dear Manu,
I love Indian chai for its flavour but I love the plate of murukku sitting next to it. It’s the best snack to accompany an icy cold beer or a scotch on the rocks during happy hour!
I love chai but agree that you have to make it with chai masala powder – not the strange tea bags and syrups you find in the supermarket!