Masala Chai Recipe
Learn how to make an authentic spiced masala chai (tea) recipe by brewing loose leaf black tea with water, milk and chai masala. This delicious beverage has a perfect balance of flavors and tastes way better than tea made with store bought concentrate. And it takes just five minutes to make. Make the chai with vegan creamer to make it divinely dairy-free.
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 81kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1 teaspoon chai masala (if you don't have chai masala, you can make a quick version by placing 2 green cardamom pods, 2 cloves, half a star anise, and a ½ inch stick of cinnamon in a mortar and pestle. Crush them coarsely and add to the water along with a teaspoon of fresh ginger.)
- 4 teaspoons sugar (use less or more depending on how sweet you want your chai. See FAQs for sugar-free options)
- 3 teaspoons loose leaf black tea (use less if you like your tea light)
- 2 tablespoons vegan creamer (or vegan whipping cream or oat milk or soy milk)
Instructions
- Place water in saucepan. Turn heat to medium-high.
- Add chai masala and sugar. Add the chai masala and sugar or sweetener to the water and let it come to a rolling boil.
- Add tea leaves. As soon as the water boils, add the tea leaves to it. Let the tea continue to boil for another minute so the tea infuses thoroughly and becomes quite dark.
- Add the creamer. Turn off the heat as soon as you add the creamer. Place the lid over the tea to let the tea and the spices continue to infuse for another 3-4 minutes.
- Strain the tea. Strain the tea into cups. Drink hot!
Notes
- Nutrition information is based on the use of vegan whipping cream. It will vary if you use another creamer or a non-dairy milk. Almond milk will add the least calories.
- Black tea has caffeine, although in smaller amounts than coffee, so it's best not to overdo the amount of chai you drink in a day. Around three cups a day would be a safe spot. If you are sensitive to caffeine, don't drink chai in the late afternoons or evenings unless you are using decaf tea leaves.
- It's always best to make chai fresh each time you want to drink it, and it tastes better when it's freshly made and hot. If you have some leftover chai, you can reheat it in the microwave within an hour of making. Don't keep chai standing around for too long once you've made it. You can store chai masala for several months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 0.2mg | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.01mg