Chai Tea Recipe is a comforting hot drink prepared by brewing black tea with spices, milk, and sweetener, offering a rich, aromatic, traditional flavor experience.
This Chai Tea Recipe tastes rich, comforting, and deeply flavourful, making every sip enjoyable. I made this Chai Tea Recipe after watching street vendors prepare it in India, where the tea simmered slowly over heat.
That scene inspired me to recreate the same experience at home. I will now show and explain the step by step method to prepare this recipe.
About This Chai Tea Recipe
This Chai Tea Recipe is a flavourful hot drink prepared by gently brewing black tea with milk, fresh ginger, and a blend of aromatic spices.
Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, nutmeg, star anise, and vanilla create a bold yet smooth taste with warming notes.
The slow cooking process allows each spice to release its natural oils, giving the tea a rich aroma and creamy texture.
Perfect for cozy moments, this chai offers a comforting balance of spice, sweetness, and depth in every sip. The main speciality of this Chai Tea is its slow simmered spice blend, which delivers a deep, authentic flavor with a naturally creamy and fragrant finish.
How To Prepare Chai Tea Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Beverage
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Indian
Yield: 2 cups
Main Kitchen Utensils
- Medium saucepan
- Mortar and pestle (or spoon for crushing spices)
- Fine mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Grater (for ginger)
Ingredients
- 480 g water
- 240 g whole milk or plant based milk
- 4 g loose black tea leaves or 2 black tea bags (Assam or English Breakfast)
- 2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 4–5 black peppercorns, crushed
- 2 whole cloves
- 6 g fresh ginger, grated
- 8 g sugar or honey
- 3 whole allspice
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 0.5 g nutmeg
How To Make Chai Tea Recipe?
Step 1: Simmer The Spices
Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns, allspice, star anise, vanilla bean, and nutmeg. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it gently simmer for about 5 minutes so the spices release their flavor.
Step 2: Add Tea And Milk
Stir in the black tea and let it brew in the spiced water for 2 minutes. Add the milk and sugar, stirring lightly. Let it simmer for another 3 minutes until the chai turns rich in colour and aroma.
Step 3: Strain And Enjoy
Take the saucepan off the heat and strain the chai into cups. Serve hot and enjoy a warm, fragrant cup of homemade chai.
Note: For the richest chai flavor, always gently crush whole spices and simmer them slowly. Avoid boiling after adding milk to prevent curdling. Adjust sweetness and spice levels to suit your taste and enjoy fresh, hot chai.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
Serving Suggestions
1. Serve chai tea hot with plain biscuits or butter cookies to balance the warm spices.
2. Enjoy chai tea alongside breakfast items like toast, paratha, or light pastries.
3. Pair chai tea with savoury snacks such as samosas or pakoras for a comforting break.
4. Present chai tea as an evening drink with cake slices or sweet bread.
5. Offer chai tea in small cups after meals as a soothing and flavorful finish.
Tips And Tricks For Perfect Chai Tea Recipe
➣ Use freshly crushed whole spices to release deeper aroma and flavor rather than pre ground spices.
➣ Simmer spices in water before adding tea leaves to allow proper extraction without bitterness.
➣ Choose full bodied black tea like Assam to balance milk and bold spices effectively.
➣ Heat milk gently after brewing tea to maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
➣ Strain immediately after cooking to prevent over-steeping and harsh flavours.
Healthy Nutrition Benefits
Chai Tea Recipe offers nourishing benefits through antioxidant rich black tea that supports heart health and metabolism. Spices like ginger and cardamom aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and strengthen immunity.
Cinnamon and cloves help regulate blood sugar and improve circulation. Milk provides calcium and protein for bone strength. Natural sweetness in moderation supports balanced energy levels.
Warm aromatic spices promote relaxation, improve mental alertness, and support respiratory comfort. Regular consumption encourages hydration, gentle stimulation, and overall wellness as part of a mindful daily routine for improved digestion focus and calm balance benefits.
Why You’ll Love Chai Tea Recipe?
You’ll love Chai Tea Recipe because it delivers a bold, comforting taste created from a blend of tea, milk, and warming spices.
Each sip feels soothing and satisfying, offering a balance of sweetness and gentle spice. This recipe fills the kitchen with inviting warmth and creates a relaxing tea experience at home.
Chai Tea Recipe also allows control over sweetness and strength, making it enjoyable for personal taste preferences. The rich flavor and smooth texture make this drink truly enjoyable.
How To Make Chai Tea Recipe Tastier?
Enhancing Chai Tea Recipe involves adjusting spices and sweetness to taste. Freshly crushed cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger intensify flavor, while a pinch of nutmeg or star anise adds depth.
Simmering the tea slowly allows spices to release their full aroma. Using whole spices instead of pre ground versions improves richness.
Sweeteners like honey or jaggery create a smoother, natural sweetness. Choosing full fat milk or creamy plant based alternatives enhances texture and body.
Straining carefully ensures a silky finish. Serving immediately preserves warmth and aromatic fragrance, making each sip more satisfying.
Is Chai Tea Recipe healthy to drink?
Chai Tea Recipe is healthy to drink because it combines black tea, spices, and milk, each offering beneficial properties.
Black tea provides antioxidants that support heart health and digestion. Spices such as ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolism.
Milk adds calcium and protein, contributing to bone strength and overall nutrition. Adjusting sugar or honey keeps the drink lighter.
Drinking chai regularly can support wellness while offering a flavourful, comforting beverage that energies and nourishes the body.
How Do You Preserve Chai Tea Recipe?
Chai Tea Recipe can be preserved by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Allow the tea to cool completely before refrigerating to maintain its flavor.
Reheat gently on the stove or in a microwave, stirring occasionally to keep the spices evenly blended. Avoid boiling after refrigeration to prevent bitterness.
Fresh spices can be added during reheating to restore intensity. Proper storage ensures the tea remains flavourful and enjoyable for later use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Plant Based Milk Instead Of Dairy Milk?
Yes, almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk can replace dairy milk without losing flavor.
How Long Should I Simmer The Spices?
Simmering for 5–7 minutes extracts full flavor from the spices without making them bitter.
Can I Prepare Chai In Advance?
Chai can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, then gently reheated.
What Tea Works Best For Chai?
Strong black teas like Assam or English Breakfast give the richest flavor.
Can I Adjust Sweetness?
Yes, sugar, honey, or other sweeteners can be adjusted to personal taste.
Can I Make Chai Without Some Spices?
Yes, the recipe is flexible. Omitting spices like allspice or star anise will slightly change flavor but remain delicious.
Conclusion
I truly enjoyed this delicious Chai Tea Recipe, and it turned out simple and successful in every way. The warm spices and rich flavor created a comforting drink that feels special yet easy.
I hope this recipe inspires you to try chai tea at home soon. Please prepare it, enjoy every sip, and share how delicious it tastes after you try it.
Your experience and thoughts will be truly appreciated and exciting to hear.
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Chai Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Mortar and pestle (or spoon for crushing spices)
- Fine mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Grater (for ginger)
Ingredients
- 480 g water
- 240 g whole milk or plant based milk
- 4 g loose black tea leaves or 2 black tea bags Assam or English Breakfast
- 2 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 4 –5 black peppercorns crushed
- 2 whole cloves
- 6 g fresh ginger grated
- 8 g sugar or honey
- 3 whole allspice
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise
- 0.5 g nutmeg
Instructions
Step 1: Simmer The Spices
- Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns, allspice, star anise, vanilla bean, and nutmeg. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it gently simmer for about 5 minutes so the spices release their flavor.
Step 2: Add Tea And Milk
- Stir in the black tea and let it brew in the spiced water for 2 minutes. Add the milk and sugar, stirring lightly. Let it simmer for another 3 minutes until the chai turns rich in colour and aroma.
Step 3: Strain And Enjoy
- Take the saucepan off the heat and strain the chai into cups. Serve hot and enjoy a warm, fragrant cup of homemade chai.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120 kcal | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 5 g | Sugar: 10 g | Fiber: 1 g | Sodium: 60 mgHi, I’m Samia! I’ve spent the past five years creating recipes that are both delicious and unique. Cooking is my passion, and I love exploring different cuisines, blending flavors, and turning everyday meals into something memorable. From quick weeknight dinners to festive feasts, I aim to make every dish special. I’d love for you to join me on this culinary journey together we’ll explore simple, easy-to-follow recipes and tips that make cooking fun, inspiring, and full of joy!