There's nothing quite as comforting as the perfect cup of Indian Masala Chai whether it's in the middle of summer or for cozying up in the winter. Black tea is simmered with warming, fragrant spices and whole milk for a balanced and creamy cup of chai. It's best served with Parle-G biscuits or cake rusk for dipping.
My source of comfort has always been masala chai. The milky foam with specks of tea leaves is mesmerizing as it bubbles away, filling the air with fragrant spices. Then there's the slight impatience of waiting for the first sip as the familiar clink of spoons sound off while the sugar is mixed into individual cups. Time slows down as one settles in with a cozy cup amongst friends and family.
My addiction to chai started with my dad's obsession - three cups a day to keep him going even in the unbearable Arizona heat. I'd watch him come alive in the early mornings as he peacefully enjoyed his first sips, slam down another cup after a solid afternoon nap, and yet another when that evening headache screamed for more caffeine.
Chai has always been a huge part of my life so this detailed recipe is well-tested and quite honestly, perfect. You're going to love it!
Why this Recipe?
For some of us, making a mean cup of masala chai is a no-brainer. It's like we're on auto pilot as we make our perfect cup.
But maybe your in-laws asked you to make everyone chai and the pressure is on, or your parents never taught you how. Maybe you had an incredible cup at a restaurant or a coffee shop and want to make your own!
If you haven't made chai before, then this recipe will help you:
- Find your perfect balance of spices. Most coffee shops use a concentrate which has an overwhelming flavor of cinnamon and concentrated spices. This doesn't lend for a balanced cup of chai. The base recipe creates a starting point that can be adjusted.
- Account for evaporation. The key to creamy chai is some of the liquid evaporating to create a slightly thicker, milky tea. You'll discover whether you're partial to the 2:1 or the 1:1 water to milk ratio.
- Discover two methods to aerate chai - the "chaiwallah" method and the double boil.
- Learn about the history and culture behind Masala Chai. This is important as we continue to see this incredible drink diluted in popular culture as Chai Tea, a rendition which has become its own drink.
Jump to:
What is Masala Chai?
Masala Chai, or chaa in other regions, is a milk tea simmered with spices and ginger. While wild chai has been enjoyed by the Singpho in Assam, India since the 12th century (Source: The Hills Times), Masala Chai originated in India during British colonization and is now enjoyed throughout the diaspora.
Masala means "spice", and chai means "tea". Therefore, masala chai means tea with spices.
There's a saying that the food in India changes every 100km... but if there's one thing that ties all Indians together - it's chai. Chai by itself is essentially a milky cup of tea. And even then, there's different types of chai such as Kashmiri pink chai, adarak (ginger) chai, masala chai, etc.
It's enjoyed in the Indian subcontinent in the mornings, afternoon, and in the early evening for a burst of caffeine or some cozy relaxation. Chai is typically served with Parle-G biscuits or cake rusk. We do a quick dip to soak up the chai and eat it before it falls into the mug.
Chai is a way of life for us and a deep part of our culture. It's a quick cup when visiting someone, or spending time at the jewelers and clothing shop. It's symbol of hospitality while catching up with friends and family. It's stopping on the side of the road during a road trip to grab a cup for ~ energy ~.
A History of Masala Chai Rooted in Colonization
DID YOU KNOW?
Masala chai originated in the 1900s during the British colonization of India when chaiwallahs (street vendors selling chai) began adding spices and milk to tea.
China had a monopoly on the European supply of tea, and the East India Trading Company had a monopoly on Chinese tea in England. Once China restricted the export of tea, the British were desperate to find another source. They discovered tea in Assam that was almost identical to that in China. The British began cultivating tea in 1838 at plantations in Assam using cheap Indian labor. (Source: A Thirst for Empire: How Tea Shaped the Modern World)
Due to the lack of knowledge on processing and transport, the tea produced was incredibly low quality, crop yields were low, and export outside of India was difficult. The Indian Tea Association, made up of British tea planters, decided to promote tea drinking to a wider audience to maintain their profits.
Indians were given mandatory tea breaks as part of a marketing campaign. Chaiwallahs popped up around India. Inspired by Ayurvedic practices, they began adding milk and spices to tea. It also masked low quality tea and enticed customers with special spice blends. (Source: From an Imperial Product to a National Drink: The Culture of Tea Consumption in Modern India)
The British thought the addition of spices were an abomination to the tea they spent decades developing. They tried to squash stalls that strayed away from standard practice, believing that the use of spices meant less tea leaves were necessary. Marketing campaigns for tea continued even until independence in 1947.
Obviously, that didn't work since masala chai still exists today thanks to the rebellious chaiwallahs that stuck to it.
Chai Tea in Popular Culture
Masala Chai was heavily popularized in the United States by Teavana's Oprah Chai Tea at Starbucks in 2014 as a way of "elevating the tea experience." (Source: Starbucks Stories & News) The outcome was a cinnamon heavy, watered down attempt at masala chai that was palatable to Americans but detested by desis.
And thanks to Starbucks, people also began saying "chai tea". It's redundant and cringe-worthy.
What followed was a rise in white-owned brands releasing their own "chai tea" blends and sugar-heavy masala chai concentrates with their Eat Pray Love self discovery BS in their about us page. Ma'am, we don't care if you "discovered" chai during your two week trip to India and now want to "share" aka capitalize on it.
To be fair, a Chai Tea Latte has spun itself into its own drink in the U.S. While it began as an attempt of introducing Masala Chai to Americans, I now think of it as a rendition of the original. Now, Chai Tea typically refers to a drink with frothy steamed milk and a black tea concentrate simmered with sharp spices like ginger and cinnamon.
In comparison, Masala Chai requires a bit of technique when simmering the spices, evaporating the milk, and aerating the chai. This results in a complex, well balanced, rich, and creamy flavor and texture.
Which Spices are in Chai?
Masala Chai ingredients are really simple, but it's the spices that vary between each recipe. Almost every family has their own blend which is made according to taste.
You can try a ton of different ready made masala chai blends with the tea and spices already measured out, chai spice blends, or chai tea bags and they will all taste wildly different.
A lot of this is due to regional variety and even classism when it comes to spices. For example, cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world trailing behind saffron and vanilla. Some families keep masala chai as simple as black pepper.
The point is, even if you don't have every spice you can still make the best cup of masala chai! Don't let that deter you.
The base of all desi masala chais usually include the following spices: cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Other variations may include nutmeg, mace, fennel, rose, mint, lemongrass, tulsi, ajwain, saffron or star anise.
Some other recipes include allspice due to the notes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Allspice isn't a blend of spices, but actually a berry. Either way, I'd stray away from using allspice if you're looking for an authentic Indian recipe.
Use whole spices where you can. Whether you put the spices directly in the chai, break them apart a bit in a mortar and pestle, or grind them into powdered chai masala using a spice grinder... using fresh spices in small batches results in the best chai!
Grinding the spices will result in slightly stronger, pungent chai. The spices will be strained out at a later point.
Ingredients - Notes and Substitutions
Milk - The best milk for chai is undoubtedly whole milk. The use of whole milk is what creates that filmy layer on top of chai. The best vegan plant-based milk substitute for masala chai is oat milk or cashew cream.
Any of your favorite milks or creamers will work, but boiling the milk along with the tea leaves and spices is key for the creamy consistency.
Black tea - Search for Indian brands of black tea that use the CTC method. My favorite loose leaf black tea is Danedar, and for tea bags I love Tetley British Blend. Taj Mahal and Wagh Bakri are other great options. They can readily be found online or in South Asian grocery stores.
Otherwise, Assam and Darjeeling tea work best as alternatives, and English breakfast is a good runner up. I do not recommend earl grey. Some families even make their own blend of tea - my dad does a blend of black and green tea leaves.
Spices - Most chais use four whole spices - cloves, peppercorn, cardamom, and Ceylon cinnamon. Other spices include tulsi, nutmeg, star anise, fennel, and mace but in very small quantities to prevent overpowering the chai which is why they may be included in chai spice, but not directly added to chai without being grinded and mixed with other spices.
Ginger - I like for the ginger to be subtle in my chai, so I'll use one or two thinly sliced pieces of ginger. If you want a stronger taste, grate or crush the ginger in a mortar and pestle.
Sweetener - Granulated sugar is the most typical sweetener, but brown sugar, stevia, honey, and even maple syrup will work. Sugar helps brings out the flavors you just developed in your Masala Chai by balancing out all the spices.
If you're using honey or maple syrup, stir it in while the chai is off heat but still hot. Sugar can be mixed in while making the chai or according to preference when serving.
Equipment for Making Chai
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Buy Now → ☕ How to Make Masala Chai
There's a couple of ways to make a quick masala chai now - with masala chai tea bags, loose tea leaf blends, readymade ground chai spice blends, chai concentrates. But you lose a bit of control, flavor, and creaminess that way. The last way is using whole spices.
Most families make Masala Chai with whole spices. It has the best flavor, so this is the method we'll go over.
Crush the spices. Break up the spices using a mortar and pestle into smaller pieces.
Boil the water. Place a stainless steel or nonstick saucepan over high heat and add the water. Add a ¼ - ½ cup of water if your saucepan or pot has a large diameter to account for evaporation. As the water comes to a boil, add the spices and ginger so they can begin to release their flavor.
Once the water comes to a boil, add the tea leaves or tea bag. Reduce the heat to low to medium. Let the tea steep with the spices for 2 minutes, no longer to prevent bitter tea. Then, add the milk.
Pro tip: Using a stainless steel saucepan is best for making Masala Chai. Towards the end, you'll notice a bit of the milk may have burned or the tea leaves and spices are stuck to the side. This way, you can easily scrub off residue with a steel brush while washing dishes.
Aerate the Chai. There's two main ways of aerating chai to develop flavor:
- One is the double boil, which is notorious for causing the biggest mess. Bring the chai to a boil on high heat. The level will rise until it's almost to the top, then quickly lift the pot off the heat until it comes back down or immediately lower the heat if you have a gas stove. This is the first boil. Repeat it for a double boil. Be sure to watch the chai closely otherwise you’ll have a spill on your hands. Another hack is to put a wooden spoon over the top of the pot so that once the tea hits the spoon, it won't boil over.
- The second way is to pull the chai which is used by chaiwallahs (chai vendors) in India. Use a small cup with a handle or ladle to scoop some chai and pour it back into the pot from a height to create bubbles. Repeat this a few times.
Simmer. Lower the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Continue to simmer the chai until it's smooth and creamy, and the consistency and color that you want the tea. About a cup of liquid will have evaporated by this point, resulting in creamy chai without the spices overpowering it.
Pro Tip: If your chai doesn't have a lot of color or isn't strong enough, add some more tea leaves and continue to simmer until you're satisfied. Chai is very forgiving.
Strain and serve. Strain the tea with a sieve when pouring it into cups or a pot for serving. Spoon the sugar into the individual cups according to preference and mix until combined.
Or as we say "kitna cheeni? (how much sugar?) ek spoon ya do? (one spoon or two?)". Serve with Parle-G biscuits or cake rusk.
The way chai was served in the 1900s was also rooted in classism. British tea drinkers used porcelain, upper class Indians used stainless steel, common folks used clay cups called kulhad, and others drank from saucers. Today, people in India still use kulhads or small glass cups, leaving space at the top for holding on to so their fingers aren't burned.
Tips and Tricks
- Milk-to-water ratio - Chai should have 2 parts water to 1 part of milk, but if you want it milkier then go with a 1:1 ratio.
- Whole Spices - Use whole spices that are a bit crushed for the best results. This helps release their oils and flavors the tea more. Using chai masala can result in little grains at the bottom of the cup that may be texturally unappealing.
- Fresh Ginger - Fresh ginger has enzymes that can curdle milk. It's best to boil the water with the spices, including ginger, before adding the milk. Alternatively, use dried ginger or ginger powder.
- Rehydrate spices - Boiling the water with tea and spices before adding milk allows the spices to rehydrate and release flavor. Alternatively, get the water to a scalding hot temperature and then add the spices.
- Ratio of Spices - Ultimately, it's up to you to choose the amount of each spice to use. You could omit all the spices except for the cardamom, or you might want your chai more peppery and add more black pepper. You might want ginger chai and add a lot more ginger! Maybe you LOVE Starbucks chai and add more cinnamon. The spice blend is based off of your preference.
- Go easy on the cloves - Cloves tend to be really really strong, you only need 1 or even half of a clove. A lot of desi households make their own chai masala with minimal cloves because it can overpower the tea completely.
- Malai - The film layer that appears at the top of the chai is completely normal and especially shows up when using whole milk. Just mix it back into the chai.
Masala chai pairs well with Paneer Aloo Samosas, Peanut Chaat, Samosa Chaat, and Indian-Style Tea Sandwiches.
And if you love chai, try Chai Syrup, Chai Concentrate, Chai Spice, Masala Chai Canelés, Chai Liqueur, Adrak Chai, and Chai White Russian.
More Tea Drinks to try
Recipe
Masala Chai (Tea)
Equipment
- Kulhads for serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoon loose leaf black tea, or tea bags
- 2 green cardamom pods
- 1 clove
- 1 inch knob of ginger, chopped into slices
- ¼ teaspoon black peppercorn, freshly cracked
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
Instructions
- Add the whole spices to a mortar and crush them lightly into smaller pieces.
- In a small saucepan on high heat, pour in the water and add the spices. Bring the water to a boil and add the tea bags or leaves. Lower the heat to a medium to low setting and simmer for two minutes, or until the tea leaves and spices have released flavor and color. Then, pour in the milk.
- Method one - Double Boil:Bring the chai to a boil on high heat, so that it starts aerating and bubbling to the top. Remove the pot from heat until the bubbles come down. Replace the pot on the burner and bring the chai back up again to a boil and remove from heat a second time until the bubbles go back down.Method two - Pulling ChaiAlternatively, use a small cup with a handle or ladle to scoop some of the chai and "pull" it while it’s simmering. Start by pouring in the chai at a low height and steadily move up higher while continuing to pour the chai back into the pot to create bubbles. Repeat a few times until the chai is bubbly.
- Continue to simmer the chai until desired consistency and color, about 5-7 minutes. Some of the liquid will have evaporated by now, so the chai will be smooth and creamy. Remove the saucepan from heat.
- Strain the chai with a sieve into glasses, mugs, or a tea pot. Mix in the sugar according to taste, and serve hot.
Notes
- Substitute all the spices with 1 teaspoon of chai masala.
- Some other great additions to the masala are star anise, fennel seeds, and dried rose petals.
- Use 2 parts water to 1 part milk - so for one cup of chai use one cup of water and half a cup of milk. Alternatively, for a creamier chai use 1 cup of water to 1 cup of milk. Then, simmer it until half of the liquid has evaporated and you're left with 1 perfect cup of masala chai. This makes it easy to scale for additional portions.
- The amount of spices used is based off of high quality, single origin spices which are stronger in flavor and freshness. Adjust the quantity based off of quality of spices as well as preference.
Marceline says
Hello,
I love everything about this recipe, except for I don’t understand why the tea is not added at the end. The old recipe I used added it at the end and that way it didn’t come out bitter. It I follow this recipe completely the end result is bitter.
I have also found that simmering with a tight lid on still allows for evaporation but trap much of the aromatic notes of the spices.
Shweta Garg says
I’ve made this recipe at least 500 times since it’s my daily morning tea and have never once had a bitter outcome. Nor have I seen a single authentic Masala Chai recipe that adds the tea at the end. It may be the type of black tea you’re using.
The point of simmering is not to “trap” any aromatic notes. The flavor is developed during the initial portion when the water is brought to a boil with the spices in it. The point of simmering is to evaporate enough water until you’re left with a luscious creamy consistency.
Amy Banks says
I have never made masala chai before but always loved drinking it at restaurants. This recipe is clearly written and easy to follow and the ingredients can be purchased at most larger grocery stores (I had to visit two to find the cardamom pods). The chai is so delicious and so creamy and so much better than using a store-bought “masala chai” tea bag. Thanks so much for this recipe. I will be making this over and over!
Shweta Garg says
Amy, this makes me inexplicably happy to hear!! So glad you found this easy and accessible - that’s my ultimate goal. Happy days drinking chai ahead! ❤️
Ash R. says
Hello! I'm trying this recipe for my aunt next week and I'm wondering how much mace to include. You mentioned that it should be used in small quantities but there wasn't a specified amount on the recipe. It's my first time using this spice so I was wondering if you could provide any direction. Thank you!
Shweta Garg says
Mace is entirely optional which is why it’s not in the recipe card. You don’t have to use it if you don’t know how. If you do want to try it out, I recommend grinding it in a spice grinder and then using the smallest pinch of it with the rest of your spices or breaking off a small dime sized piece and adding it in.
McKay says
I just love this recipe blog entry so much. I deeply appreciate your depth and breadth of thoughtfulness. I successfully made my first ever batch of chai for my favorite chai aficionado. I made it into a 6-cup test sized dirty chai, substituting ground mace for the ginger (food sensitivity), and have a pitcher ready for his morning. Your context gave me the confidence to hear his thoughts and work toward his optimal spice blend before prepping a container of the blend for future use. I used a basic black tea out of immediacy but will order an Indian CTC method tea for future batches. Cheers to you!
Shweta Garg says
I appreciate this so much! I’m glad it gave you confidence to make chai 🙂
VintageTruth says
Amazing read on the history of chai in India, and it’s links to colonisation and classism. Now, if you go to “trendy” homes, they use clay plates and cups and wooden salad bowls. Oh how times change lol. The clay cup with always >>>> the porcelain cups. Nonetheless, thank you for the recipe, I made it and it tastes lovely.
Shweta Garg says
Clay cup is always the best! Glad you enjoyed!
Jo B. says
HI there! I need to make this tea for a tea party of 20. I wondered if I made them like two or three hours ahead of time and let it steep, and warm it up again, will it still taste the same or will it turns bitter?
Or perhaps I should ask how do you make a big batch of tea to take with you to a tea party?
Shweta Garg says
Whew! Good luck! Totally possible to make this for a large party. Honestly, I would ask to make it at their kitchen if at all possible and make a few batches since it's best fresh. Otherwise, I would use a large thermos or a coffee urn. If these aren't possible, make it as you would (strain out the tea bags and spices) and then warm it up in a saucepan/pot when you're ready to serve. Add a bit of extra water or milk to account for additional evaporation as you reheat.
Shamily says
Hey! Loved the way you explained the process of tea making. But I would like to make a correction regarding the origination of tea, tea was not originated in India during colonization rather commercialized during that era. Indian have been having tea since thousands of years. I would love to see it corrected. All the best! Thanks 🙂
Shweta says
Hi Shamily! I appreciate your comment, however the section clearly states that tea was already growing in Assam and it’s specifically Masala Chai, not tea in general, that originated during British colonization.
Of course, tea was growing in other parts of India but I’m specifically focused on the beverage Masala Chai.
If you can provide sources that say otherwise, I’d love it if you emailed them to me. Thanks!
Nichole says
I’m so excited to try this! I’m nervous about messing it up and wasting good ingredients though. Am I understanding correctly that if I mix in the ginger before the milk, the milk won’t curdle even through the aeration and simmering stages?
Shweta says
Yep! Simmer the ginger with the spices and tea before adding the milk. If you’re nervous, I’d remove the ginger slices before adding milk or use ground ginger.
Ann says
I can't wait to try this recipe. Growing up, my mom told me I did
not make tasty "cha". It is so dependent on technique. I want to try the Chaiwalla method. Do I still bring the cha to a boil and then do a pull? Or do I do the pull before it comes to a boil (and avoid the boil altogether?)
Shweta says
Great question! I usually pull the chai towards the end - aka as it’s simmering while I wait for the water to evaporate to get the creamy result.
Ann says
Would this be the right method: bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer until close to the desired creaminess and color, then do the "pull"?
Also, I have broken pieces of cinnamon sticks...how long a piece should I use?
Finally, where did you get those cozy mugs?
Shweta says
That’s correct! 🙂 Can’t wait for you to give it a try.
The cinnamon is entirely up to you, I usually use around 1-2 inches for one cup of chai for myself.
The cups are called kulhads, or clay cups. I got these particular ones from a ceramicist but you can definitely find them on Amazon and Etsy! Here’s the most similar one I can find - https://amzn.to/3H9fpXk
Ann says
Thank you! I am going to make it tomorrow. But I need to order new cinnamon first. I read there is the true cinnamon called Ceylon cinnamon which has a subtle scent and flavor, and there is cassia cinnamon that is darker in colour, thicker bark, and strong scent and flavor. Which one is used in chai?
Shweta says
Definitely Ceylon! Cassia will give you more of a Starbucks chai instead of authentic masala chai.
Lori says
Fantastic recipe!! I loved learning all about true masala chai. I had no idea that Indians took something imposed on them by colonizers & made it a thousand times better by inserting their own culture into it. An act of resistance—delicious, delicious resistance! 💖💪
Shweta says
I’m so glad you loved learning the history about it and enjoyed your chai ❤️ Cheers!
James says
Hey, love the insight and the recipe, I was wondering if there is a way to make a large batch of something like this and use it over several days or a week. A way of maybe making a spice blend and adding it to milk at a later date? Any help would be appreciated.
Shweta says
Masala Chai should always be made fresh. You can, however, try something like Chai Concentrate or keeping Chai Spice, both of which I’ll link for you. It’s not the same, but it gets close.
https://masalaandchai.com/chai-concentrate/
https://masalaandchai.com/chai-masala-spice-blend/
Dan says
Thank you for publishing this and especially for your tips. It's helpful to know about some of the possible variations. I tried your recipe with a black and green tea like your dad - it came out perfect.
FWIW, much of the US - especially businesses like Starbucks - uses cassia as a substitute for cinnamon. That's because cassia is much cheaper than true cinnamon and companies in the US are allowed to label cassia as cinnamon despite them not being the same. Cassia is overly strong and assertive, which is why the Starbuck chai was cinnamon heavy (or in my case, cassia is all that I could taste). It might be helpful to say "Ceylon cinnamon" in the recipe if you mean for people to try with true cinnamon. Labeling it as Ceylon cinnamon is how most companies in the US market will distinguish between cassia and true cinnamon.
Shweta says
This is awesome tip! Thank you so much for pointing that out to me, I genuinely had no idea. And so glad you enjoyed the chai 🙂
Crystal says
the recipe was great, but I CANNOT GET OVER YOUR NAILS in these photos.
Shweta says
So glad you noticed, hehe
Elizabeth G Schilling says
I used stevia instead of sugar -YUM!
Shweta says
Great to hear! Stevia is a great sub!
Noga says
It tastes great when I make it with dried ginger, but whenever I try to follow the recipe and use fresh ginger it always curdles on me... Any tips on how to prevent this?
Shweta says
Did you look at the Tips and Tricks section? It clearly states why fresh ginger curdles the milk and how to prevent this.
Neha says
Best masala chai ever!
Nicolle Brescia says
On point!
Cristina Fajardo says
Perfect for sweater weather! So cozy!
Eric D says
Just the right amount of spice!!!
Shweta says
Glad to hear it worked out!
Rob says
☕️➡️🤤