How to make authentic Indian chai in four steps

How to make authentic masala chai in 4 easy steps

Making Indian food seems difficult, but my mom knows just how easy it is. Making Indian food only needs the ingredients, but if you follow our guide, you'll see just how quickly you can impress your friends and family. 

Stop by our store and mention you're following our recipe, and we'll help you find all the ingredients you need, and we'll give you 5% off on your total. Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with a picture of your completed dish, and we'll feature you on our page!

What is Indian Tea?

Indian tea, also called chai, is a hearty, milky crisp drink served first thing in the morning and maybe for an afternoon pick-me-up in India. It’s a deceptively strong drink, rich in caffeine and flavor. Authentic Indian chai differs from Chinese tea and British-style tea bags in taste, preparation and even the plant itself. Just how you’ll find options in a coffee shop to grab Earl Grey or British Breakfast, or how a Hunan restaurant will serve Jasmine or Green tea, Indian tea as well comes in a few varieties.

In India, we just call it chai, or some slight variation of that pronunciation depending on the region. The word chai itself means tea. So ordering a ‘chai tea’ means you’re just ordering a ‘tea tea’. The word masala means spice, thus masala chai is Hindi for ‘spiced tea’. You can enjoy chai without masala, and many people do, so you have to be careful if you’re ordering in India.


What spices are in a chai masala blend?

The spice mix used to brighten up a cup of chai can be a blend of fennel, dried ginger powder, cinnamon powder, green cardamom powder, cloves and star anise. There are some blends, based on region or even a family recipe, that differ. Some include black pepper powder, mint powder, or just different concentrations of ginger and cardamom.

Indian tea

Thus, a cardamom chai is a plain chai boiled with whole green cardamom. Mint chai is chai boiled with mint leaves, and a ginger chai can be made by grating in fresh, shredded ginger. The chai spice itself is a powder, and can be made at home, or bought at the store. At home, we use MDH T-Plus Masala, but we also recommend Everest Tea Masala. There’s also a few other brands and recipes that we cycle through our inventory.


The different types and flavors of Indian Tea

The main types of tea you’ll find in our grocery store will be Assam, Mamri, and Orange Pekoe. Sometimes you’ll also find Darjeeling tea, but this is rare and highly-sought after for its unique taste- it’s only grown right in Darjeeling, after all! Each of these types of tea will give you a slightly different taste, but at the end of the day, you can make each of these the same way for an amazing hot cuppa. 


Indian tea can be found generally in two types: loose leaf or tea bags. The term ‘loose leaf’ does not mean that you will find leaves in the package- rather, you’ll get small, dark seed-like grains. They smell fantastic, and loose tea stores best in an airtight container away from sunlight. Dry, loose tea lasts for 2-3 months at a time, so finish it fast! The other type, the more popular, is tea bags. These are generally meant to steep in a cup or pot, but this isn’t how you’ll get the best flavor. There is a new, third type of tea that’s gaining popularity, and it’s only found in our store. These are quick tea pouches. These pouches are dried, powdered mixes that include sugar and milk powder, and only need to be mixed with hot water. These are good in a pinch, but neither quick tea nor tea bags measure up to a freshly, properly brewed cup of Indian tea.


How to prepare homemade Masala Chai

Proper Indian chai can be made in about twenty minutes, and in only four steps. You’ll need the below ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp Indian loose tea
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp tea masala
  • 0-4 tbsp Sugar (optional, to taste)

You'll also need a pot and a sieve or strainer. In a pinch, you can also use a coffee filter, but this will take a lot longer to let the tea strain through.

Step 1:

Bring the water, tea tea masala and sugar to a boil using medium heat.


Step 2:

When the water is boiling, pour in your milk.


Step 3:

Watch your tea carefully. Raise the heat until the tea begins boiling towards the rim, and then lower the flame to the lowest setting. Allow the tea to return to a simmer, then repeat 2-3 times. 


Step 4:

Carefully strain the tea through a thin colander or sieve. Cool and enjoy!

Indian tea

Bonus Instructions

If you’re like me, and get bored easily, or if you don’t feel comfortable bringing the tea to a boil over and over again, here are my personal ‘lazy’ instructions for making great chai.


Step 1:

Bring water, tea, masala and sugar to a fast boil at high heat.


Step 2:

Once the water is boiling, carefully pour in milk and lower heat to low. 


Step 3:

Step away for no more than 20 minutes. Make an omelet or take a shower. Your tea should be simmering and ready to be enjoyed!


Step 4:

Strain and enjoy.

What can you eat with Indian chai?

Indian chai is a milky, hot drink. It is often accompanied by Indian snack mixes, known as namkeen, or cookies. You can dip the cookie in the tea, or just munch on them. My favorite Indian breakfast is hot chai, a packet of Parle G cookies, along with a small bowl of Haldiram's Khatta Meetha.

You can make your own, however, and grab some toast, oatmeal or a fruit to go with your fresh chai.

Let us know how it turned out!

Making Indian food seems difficult, but my mom knows just how easy it is. Making Indian food only needs the ingredients, but if you follow our guide, you'll see just how quickly you can impress your friends and family. 

Stop by our store and mention you're following our recipe, and we'll help you find all the ingredients you need, and we'll give you 5% off on your total. Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with a picture of your completed dish, and we'll feature you on our page!

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