Authentic Indian tea "masala chai" is a popular drink made with a special spice mix "chai masala powder". A perfect tea to start a fresh day and as an evening tea to unwind after a long exhausting day.
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Masala chai is a special and traditional tea from India containing different aromatic spices blended into a powder, combined with milk and black tea . Each spice of this homemade chai masala brings a unique flavour to the homemade Indian chai making it one of the most popular beverages worldwide.
Spices used in the aromatic Chai Masala have a lot of health benefits. It is a perfect winter warmer drink like Masala Milk, Kashaya, Rose Milk Tea, Hibiscus Tea to enjoy during winter time.
Winter can really be a delight for chai lovers, imagine yourself staying at the world's third-highest ski resort in Kashmir, wearing your sipping hot chai and waiting for your ski sessions.
There is no fixed recipe to make masala chai. Almost every household in India will have their own version tea masala powder recipe and here I am sharing my version. In many Indian households, the day doesn't start without a cup of hot masala chai.
Most households prefer to offer masala chai whenever they have a guest coming over. Masala chai with hot snacks such as bread vada, masala corn, vegetable pakora, gobi 65 and air fryer crispy masala peanuts is my favourite combo, especially during rainy days and winter.
Trust me, solace, comfort and relaxation are what you feel at the same time while sipping this Indian chai and munching on the snacks.
How to make Indian tea masala powder?
Homemade spices are always best and impart a fresh aroma to the chai and it is always better than store-bought. It is so easy to make this chai masala mix with most of the spices already you have in your pantry. After you have tried this I am sure you will never buy a store-bought spice mix.
Grind the whole spices in a coffee blender or small blender and store it in a sterilised dry air tight jar. Having a batch of homemade chai masala powder comes in handy and making masala chai is a breeze and gets ready in a jiffy.
Variations and Substitutions
You may swap dried ginger with dry ginger powder. You may skip dried ginger in the spice mix, instead, add fresh ginger root or dried ginger powder while brewing the masala chai.
This is a simple version tea masala recipe, you can play around adding different ingredients such as fennel seeds, nutmeg while grinding the spices.
Ingredients
for masala tea powder
Black peppercorn: 1 tbsp
Dried ginger: 1 inch
Green Cardamom pods/ elachi: 2 tbsp
Cassia bark / dalchini: 2 inch
Cloves: 1 tsp
for 1 cup masala chai
Water: 1 cup
Whole milk: ⅓ cup
Teabag: 1
Sugar: as required
Masala chai powder: ¼ tsp
Instructions
First use a mortar – pestle to crush dry ginger.
Now place black peppercorns, cloves, green cardamom, cassia bark and crushed dried ginger tin spice grinder and blend to a coarse powder.
Store in a sterilized airtight container.
Use around ¼ teaspoon chai masala powder to make mildly spiced Indian Masala Chai/Masala Tea.
Heat water and chai masala powder until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and boil on low to medium heat for 10 minutes.
Now add a tea bag, sugar, milk and let it brew for a couple of minutes or longer if you prefer strong chai.
Strain and enjoy hot and mildly spiced Masala Chai...
Strain and enjoy hot and mildly spiced Masala Chai…
Recipe Notes
Masala chai spice mix can be stored for nearly 5 months in an airtight container at room temperature.
Add a little more masala powder while preparing Masala Chai if you prefer extra spicy chai.
Be careful while brewing as the milk can easily rise and spill over.
Adjust sugar as per your taste.
Add or reduce masala chai spice mix as per your preferred spice levels.
Tea leaves could be used instead of tea bags.
The masala chai recipe can be doubled or tripled by adding more tea bags, milk and masala powder.
FAQ
Masala chai spice mix has become so popular that it is not only used to make aromatic masala chai but also in puddings, pies, cakes, popsicles, cocktails, and fudge are a few to name. The list is endless.
📖 Recipe Card
Masala chai with homemade chai masala powder
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon = 5ml
Ingredients for Masala Chai Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Peppercorn
- 1 inch Dried Ginger
- 2 Tablespoon Green Cardamom/ Elachi
- 2 inch Cassia bark/ dalchini
- 1 Teaspoon Cloves
Ingredients to prepare Masala Chai
- 1 cup Water
- ⅓ cup Milk
- 1 Teabag
- as required Sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon Masala chai spice mix
Instructions
- First use mortar – pestle to crush dry ginger.1 inch Dried Ginger
- Now grind peppercorn, green cardamom, cloves, cassia bark along with crushed dry ginger to a coarse powder.1 Tablespoon Peppercorn, 2 Tablespoon Green Cardamom/ Elachi, 2 inch Cassia bark/ dalchini, 1 Teaspoon Cloves
- Store in an air tight container.
- Use around ¼ teaspoon chai masala powder to make mildly spiced Indian Masala Chai/Masala Tea.
- Heat water and masala chai spice mix until it comes to the boil. Reduce the heat and boil on low to medium heat for 10 minutes.1 cup Water, ¼ Teaspoon Masala chai spice mix
- Now add tea bag, sugar, milk and let it brew for a couple of minutes or longer if you prefer strong chai.1 Teabag, as required Sugar, ⅓ cup Milk
- Strain and enjoy hot and mildly spiced Masala Chai....
Notes
Nutrition
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do let me know if you make this Indian tea with homemade chai masala powder. If you like this recipe kindly consider rating it using stars in the comment section or on the recipe card to help more people find this recipe online. You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribing to my Youtube channel. Or why not subscribe to my blog and get simple recipes straight to your inbox?
Taylor Kiser says
I could drink one of these every day! Looks so good!
Geetha Priyanka says
Yes, Taylor, it's such a warming and hearty drink to start a day.
Beth says
This recipe looks so delicious. Tea to warm the soul!
Geetha Priyanka says
Thank you Beth!
Adrianne says
I am a huge chai tea drinker as I don't drink coffee anymore. So this is a great recipe. I fancy a hot cup of it right now, thanks!
Geetha Priyanka says
Glad to know you like chai. Hope you enjoy this masala chai too.
cheflolaskitchen says
My Indian colleges are always talking about how much they miss their homeland smoothie,"chai". I can't wait to surprise them with this one.
Geetha Priyanka says
Yes, I totally agree with your colleagues Lola. I'm sure your colleagues will enjoy this chai.
ilona says
I don't know why I don't drink chai tea. I think I am missing out. Looks so good!
Geetha Priyanka says
I would suggest you try this recipe once, I'm sure you will like it and get addicted to chai.
Jagruti Dhanecha says
Love Masala chai and never run out of chai Masala , just can't live without it.
Geetha Priyanka says
Glad to know.
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
I keep meaning to experiment with Chai Masala flavours and this looks like a lovely, simple recipe. Definitely going to give it a go! Thanks for Sharing #CookBlogShare
geethapriyanka says
I would love to know your feedback.