Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Masala Chai - Indian spiced Tea


I should be writing this post in winter,I know. But I thought this tea will be an appropriate drink for rainy evenings in the Spring. I know people who loves this and also people who hates it ! I just love masala chai, but TH hates it. So I make this tea for myself, or when I have a guest who loves this.

Masala Chai

Soon after our marriage,we went to Mysore and Ootty. That wasn't exactly a cliche honeymoon trip. M had a conference to attend in Mysore and we thought we will take a couple of extra days and visit some places. In Ootty we visited a small local tea factory. They have different kinds of tea mixtures in packet, and they have tea samples too. After sampling, M didn't say anything in objection, when I asked him whether I could take a packet of masala tea.So we got one of those mixtures and some dried tea leaves to take home. But after reaching home, I realized that he hates it and it took me a long time to finish off that packet myself. That was a lesson learned and I never got a masala tea packet ever.No I never stopped drinking masala chai,I started making a mixture of masala tea myself,whenever the craving hits me.


Tea Pot

I have to share this story about a discussion I had with Manisha and Soma on Facebook, since I'm writing a chai post. Have you ever said/heard about "chai tea" ? I have seen it in number of cook books, blogs, Facebook etc. So even without thinking, I used this term while commenting on Manisha's status update. She replied, 'did you say chai tea,oh no'. Then I realized that this terminology is definitely not correct. And guess what,she has written a wonderful post about this "Drop the tea, it's already there in your chai" in her blog, Indian Food Rocks.She has shared her masala chai ,pudina chai and ginger tea recipe too, in that post. If you haven't read it so far,follow the link, you will enjoy it ! Soma always cracks me up during our conversations. She started talking about "gadi peeche back karna", lasagna pasta and naan bread,under the same status update I mentioned above. When you think about it,yes why should we pair up two words that have exactly same meaning ? Now you tell me, will you ever say chai tea or naan bread again ?

Masala Chai

I guess there is no recipe for masala tea, that you can call authentic or traditional. The mixture of spices is totally according to your taste palate, you can either add some other spices or totally cut out some of them in this list, that you may not like. But basically these are the spices that goes into a masala chai. I also love adding only ginger, to make ginger tea or only cardamom to make cardamom tea.

Masala Chai

Masala chai really warms up your body.My mother would say, you shouldn't have this during really warm summer days. So when you feel that your body needs some extra warmth, make this ! I just get energized from the aroma of this tea.

Masala Chai


Preparation Time: 5 Min
Cook time: 5 Min
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

Water- 1 cup
Milk- 1 cup
Black Tea- 3-4 tsp or 5-6 tea bags
Cardamom- 2 pods
Cloves- 4
Star Anise- a piece
Cinnamon- a 1/2 inch piece
Ginger- 1 inch piece
Sugar- to taste

Method:

1.Grind coarsely the cardamom,cloves, star anise and cinnamon using a mortar and pestle.Grate ginger and keep aside.
2.Mix water and milk in a sauce pan and boil. (It's a good idea to add water first into the sauce pan and then milk, this will prevent milk from sticking to the bottom)
3.When the milk is about to scald, add tea and the ground spice mixture.Add sugar if you are using any,mix well.
4.Keep the heat on medium high and let boil.Add the grated ginger and mix. Once the milk boils,reduce the heat and simmer for a couple of minutes.This helps the flavors to seep through.
4.Sieve into a tea pot. Serve warm with some biscuits or rusk.

29 comments:

  1. Just love the 4 th shot.... U have arranged very perfectly....

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  2. I'll make masala chai for you next week! Hugs!

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  3. Most if the time I go for ginger and cardamom tea ,this is somethingbwhich I have to still try at home,,,:) maybe one rainybevening will try

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  4. I want to have this now. Nice and tempting chai.

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  5. i am not too much of a masala tea fan, but tea in general is a fav of ours..i must admit however, that it is something we picked up after hotting UK:)
    As much as naan bread sounds weird..everyone here just calls it that. So im forced to do it at times..

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  6. chai is all time invited and during rainy season .. it is must u have healthy chai /.. thanks for sharing

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  7. I don't drink tea....so can't appreciate the recipe...:P...but Loved the snaps....mainly the teapot...

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  8. Love that teapot, love this masala chai anytime especially while its raining outside.

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  9. I might love to have this super masala chai. I have not tried adding the star anise yet....next time for sure I am adding that too!

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  10. Great clicks dear,refreshing,love masala chai.

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  11. Perfect cup of masala chai!!truly indian style :) I never tried adding star anise in my tea ,new to me.will try for sure. lovely clicks..

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  12. Refreshing chai...Love the clicks..

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  13. Tea is a comforting beverage. Masala chai is comforting. Great clicks as always.

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  14. LOL LOL :P what a cute post. It is the other way round in our home.. I DO NOT like Masala Chai. And A will have only Masala Chai and nothing else. I do like some ginger tea on a rainy day - very lightly brewed and not with much milk - but that is as far as I can go. Can you believe if I say that I never remember tasting Masala Chai until I got married? Namitha I love the teapot and the blue, and marie biscuits always.. whatever kind of chai tea it might be.. :) Thanks for the mentions.

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  15. lovely lovely post... got a smile for several reasons... love masala chai and loved the chai tea too mention...

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  16. I like Masala chai.....nice shot....

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  17. Cannot go wrong with this traditional indian tea :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  18. yumm, I love masala chai, thanks for the recipe :) and have a nice day ladies :)

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  19. I haven't tried star annise in masala. Love to start my morning cuppa with tea!

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  20. I NEED tea every morning ..irrespective of what the season is :) Don't make masala tea that often but whenever I do .. i use almost all that spices you mentioned except star anise and instead we use dried bay leaf ' tejpatta' :)

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  21. Beautiful teapot and love the masalas in your tea.

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  22. Addictive! I love tea and spices. That tea pot is really pretty and original.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  23. Totally love masala chai - any advice of keeping away from it during summer enters one ear and immediately exits via the other. And I must add to the chorus of appreciation for your tea pot, it is truly lovely!

    Enjoying reading your archives, I will surely 'return back' ;-)

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  24. I love masala chai. I have made it for tea, but I also use the spices in my granola, oatmeal, coffeee lattes and so much more. I am so glad you shared your recipe.

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  25. Love how you lined those spices.
    And oh no, there's no time, no season, no nothing for an Indian Tea, is there?
    I've seen people in India ready to drink it anytime, no matter how hot or cold it is, hehe.

    And oh, there's naan bread, chai tea, paneer cheese, and dal soup. And it annoys me to no end! :D

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