How to make Masala Chai (Tea)

How to make Masala Chai (Tea)

Today, I will be sharing the recipe for Masala Chai (Spiced Hot Tea) which can be enjoyed anytime. It is basically brewed black Tea with aromatic flavours and spices along with sweetner. The term "Masala" in Hindi means Spices and "Chai" is referred to as Tea. This kind of Tea is basically spiced yet sweet to taste. This beverage is said to have originated in India but now it is enjoyed in every part of the world. Many famous and popular coffee and tea houses have also added this beverage in their selling list. But you don't have to go to those places specially to try out Masala Chai because I'll be writing down about the flavours and aromatic spices that are added to it to make it tasty as well as healthy. Yes!! You heard me right, it has health benefits and medicinal qualities. Masala chai is not just tasty to drink but also healthy and improves the immune system of our body. 

According to Ayurvedic Gurus or experts, Masala Chai which consists of spices like Cardamom, Cloves, Cinnamon, Holy Tulsi and also Ginger which helps to improve immune system and is mainly used in curing cough, cold. It helps to relieve sour throat and running nose.

Apart from just being healthy you can have this beverage with snacks, cookies, fritters, french fries and the list goes on. Let's not get you waiting for the Ingredients of this recipe. Let's begin :)

Ingredients for Masala Tea

•  4 teaspoon sugar or any sweetner (jaggery or sugar free sweetner or add as per taste)
• 2 teaspoon tea
• ¼ cup milk or add as per taste
• 500 ml or 2 cups of water

Ingredients for Masala

• ½ inch Cinnamon (also known as Daalchini in Hindi)
• 2 Cloves (also known as Laung in Hindi)
• 1 inch Ginger (also known as Adrak in Hindi)
• 2 to 3 green Cardamoms (also known as Elaichi in Hindi)
• Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonym Ocimum sanctum, also known as Holy Tulsi in India)

NOTE : You can make this Masala and keep it in an air tight jar so that the aromatic fragnances and flavours are kept fresh and intact. Make sure that you use dried leaves or powder of ocimum tenuiflorum while making masala powder but if you don't find it in your local store then you can skip this ingredient.

How to make Masala Chai (Spiced Hot Tea)

1. Take all the spices and herbs in a mortar-pestle or grinder.
2. Crush all the spices coarsely. Keep it aside.
3. Take a pan with a handle, heat 2 cups water (250 ml).
4. Boil the water and then add the coarsely grinded spices into the water.
5. Boil the water along with the spices for 2 to 3 minutes. Put a lid on top of the pan so that the spices and herb leaves all it's juices and extracts in the water.
6. Add 2 teaspoons of tea. Boil for a minute or so, but if you want strong taste of tea then boil for a few more minutes.
7. Add milk and then again boil for 3 to 4 minutes. 
8. Keep an eye on the tea till it boils. (Tea can spill out of the pan once it boils)
9. Pour the tea through a tea strainer into your cup.

    

Voila!!! Your Masala Chai is ready to be served. You can enjoy this with snacks, fritters, cookies.