Chai Tea Recipe
This Chai Tea Recipe is a flavorful 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.
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
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.