Ingredients
Method
- Bring the water to a boil with the cardamom, ginger and other spices and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the tea leaves and simmer for 1 minute.
- Add the milk and sugar and bring back to a rolling boil, letting it rise and drop two or three times.
- Strain into cups and serve hot.
The spices that matter
Green cardamom Elaichi
Crushed into chai, simmered in kheer and halwa, fried whole in biryani and pulao, and ground into garam masala.
No green cardamom? There is no close substitute. A small mix of cinnamon and nutmeg works in baking.
Nice to have
The blend to use
Chai masala: The warming spice mix that turns ordinary tea into masala chai.
Salt, oil or ghee, onions, ginger, garlic and fresh herbs are assumed. See how to make a tadka for the order to add whole spices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does masala chai take to make?
About 2 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to cook.
What spices are in masala chai?
The essentials are green cardamom. Nice to have: cloves, cinnamon and cassia, black pepper, dry ginger, fennel seed.
Tips from travellers
Use Masala chai differently at home? Share your tip. The first good one goes right here.