Best 5 Traditional Chai Tea Recipes

Chai tea, a traditional Indian beverage, captivates the senses with its aromatic blend of spices, black tea, and milk. Originating from the vibrant streets of India, chai has transcended borders and become a beloved drink worldwide. This versatile tea offers various options to suit individual preferences, including a classic version, a dairy-free alternative, and a refreshing iced chai latte. With its rich flavor profile and customizable nature, chai tea has become a staple in many cultures, offering a moment of warmth, comfort, and rejuvenation. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the intricacies of chai tea and unveil the secrets behind its captivating taste.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHAI TEA

Chai Tea image

Perfect for cold nights, this masala chai tea recipe incorporates spices that make it so delicious, you'll want to drink it every day. -Kelly Pacowta, Danbury, Connecticut

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

4 whole cloves
2 whole peppercorns
4 tea bags
4 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
2-1/2 cups boiling water
2 cups 2% milk

Steps:

Place cloves and peppercorns in a large bowl; with the end of a wooden spoon handle, crush spices until aromas are released., Add the tea bags, sugar, ginger, cinnamon stick and boiling water. Cover and steep for 6 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the milk., Strain tea, discarding spices and tea bags. Stir in hot milk. Pour into mugs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 92 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 49mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.

AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE INDIAN CHAI

Authentic Homemade Indian Chai image

An actually-authentic Indian Chai tea recipe, as made for me by my lovely Indian mother-in-law. Tea the Indian way is rich and milky, deeply coloured, steaming hot, flavourful and sweet.

Provided by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Categories Drinks

Time 6m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

8 oz water
4 oz whole milk
granulated sugar (to taste (about 2 heaped teaspoons per serving, traditionally))
1 heaping tablespoon of black tea (empty out tea bags to make a tablespoon if you don't buy loose leaves)
4 cardamom pods (smashed with side of a knife)
small piece of cinnamon stick
1/4 " coin of fresh ginger
pinch of fennel seeds (about 10 seeds)

Steps:

Bring water and milk to a simmer with desired spices in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to lowest setting and add tea. Steep until tea takes on a deep, pinky-tan colour, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain into a cup and stir in sugar to taste.

CHAI (INDIAN TEA)

Chai (Indian Tea) image

Chai is basically black tea brewed with selected spices and milk. This is the most commonly used traditional recipe of the classic Indian spiced tea. Chai tastes are personal and the making of chai requires experimenting with different amounts of spices, milk and ingredients to discover the specific blend of spices to suit your tastes. Be sure to use black tea for this recipe, not green or some other specialized variety.

Provided by - Carla -

Categories Beverages

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups water
1 cup milk
3 black tea bags
3 cardamom pods, crushed in a mortar
2 whole black peppercorns, crushed in a mortar
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1/8 teaspoon ginger powder (optional)
2 cloves
sugar, to taste

Steps:

Once water begins to boil add the cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, ginger (if using) and cloves.
Simmer over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes.
Add milk.
Add black tea bags and simmer 4 to 5 minutes or until the desired strength of tea is reached.
Strain, serve and enjoy!
If you would like to sweeten things up a bit, add enough sugar (or sugar substitute) to suit your taste.

CHAI TEA FROM SCRATCH

Chai Tea from Scratch image

No coffee creamer or instant tea here. Wait until you catch the aroma of this wafting through your house! Adapted from several online sources with inspiration most notably from my own spice stash, but also from the side box of Yogi tea, and chaitearecipes.com, etc. Be sure the milk or milk substitute you use is very fresh!

Provided by COOKGIRl

Categories Beverages

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 cups filtered water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon minced cardamom pod, slightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
3 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
1 inch piece vanilla pod, split open lengthwise
2 star anise
3 -4 saffron threads
1/4 teaspoon anise seed
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons loose black tea leaves (read NOTE) or 2 tea bags (read NOTE)
2 cups milk (soy milk is good, too) or 2 cups rice milk (soy milk is good, too)
honey, for sweetening, to taste (I prefer honey to sweeten my chai but I also like cane sugar-aka Sucanat)

Steps:

*NOTE: Any number of black tea varieties can be used in this recipe: Ceylon Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, etc. You'll have to try several types of tea to find out which you prefer.
Pour the water into a heavy bottomed pan. Add the spices and tea bags (or loose tea placed in a tea infuser or muslin cloth).
Bring to a boil, partially cover pan and simmer about 20 minutes to allow spices to intensify.
Add the milk or milk substitute and heat through WITHOUT boiling until hot.
Pour chai tea through a strainer into tea cups. Add sweetener of choice if desired.
Sit, sip, close your eyes, relax, enjoy!
Servings are estimated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 85.8, Fat 4.9, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 17.1, Sodium 67.4, Carbohydrate 7.1, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 0.1, Protein 4.2

TRADITIONAL CHAI TEA

Traditional Chai Tea image

This is a spicy, creamy tea that I make every Christmas. Its more my tradition than the authentic tea. Its tasty and sure to warm you from the inside out. Great for those with a cold or flu... clears your sinuses and settles your tummy.

Provided by Nurse Rain

Categories Beverages

Time 17m

Yield 5 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups cold water
10 whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
3 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 peppermint tea bag
1 orange pekoe tea bag
1 -2 teaspoon ground ginger or 1/2 inch chunk fresh ginger, depending on how spicy you want it
2 peppercorns or 1 pinch black pepper
1/4 cup honey
2 -2 1/2 cups milk

Steps:

In large saucepan combine first nine ingredients.
Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat to low and simmer ten minutes.
Remove from heat and strain with fine sieve or through coffee filters.
Return to pot and add honey until melted.
Add milk and heat through, but do not boil.
Serve in clear mugs with a pinch of cinnamon on top.
Merry Christmas!
You can also store the tea without the honey and milk in the fridge, then just reheat and add milk and honey to taste.
This is a nice tea to serve with gingerbread or shortbread cookies at gatherings.

Tips:

Use freshly ground spices for the best flavor. Pre-ground spices lose their potency over time, so it's worth the extra effort to grind whole spices just before using them.
Simmer the chai tea for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
Use whole milk or 2% milk for a richer flavor. Skim milk will work, but it will make the chai tea less creamy.
Sweeten the chai tea to taste. You can use sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
Garnish the chai tea with a sprinkle of ground cardamom or cinnamon. This will add a touch of extra flavor and aroma.

Conclusion:

Chai tea is a delicious and comforting beverage that can be enjoyed at any time of day. It's also a great way to get your daily dose of antioxidants. With its warm spices and creamy texture, chai tea is sure to become a favorite drink in your home.