Masala Chai (Spiced Tea)

Masala Chai waiting to be sipped !

Morning tea has the power to set right tone for the day ahead. For most of us, it is the first thing our tongue tastes. In order to perfect the recipe, it took best part of my last year to try various combinations before settling on this one. I had tried this recipe in a potluck recently and everyone liked the taste. The ingredients in the tea gives an instant boost to the body. In the cold season, it makes the body warm.

Preparation time: 2 min
Chai prep time: 10  min
Serving size: 2
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Bring the water with spices to a boil

• Tea dust - 1 tbsp
• Cardamom(Elaichi) - 1
• Cloves - 1
• Ginger - 2 inch size piece(grated or minced)
• Black pepper corns - 5
• Milk - 1 cup (I use 2% milk. If you use whole milk or fat-free milk, adjust milk/water ratio)
• Water - 1 cup
• Sugar - per your taste

Preparation

Add tea dust and boil for 2-3 minutes

• Peel the ginger skin. If you prefer to keep the skin, a word of caution, it gives slightly bitter taste.
• Crush the pepper, cardamom and cloves (For the freshness and aroma of the spices, crush it right at the time when pan is in stove.)
• Grate the ginger.

Note:
I have a metal crusher, something similar to the traditional stone crusher used to mince spices. I crush the ginger and the other spices with the crusher and add it to the boiling water in the tea pan.

Chai preparation

Add milk and boil for another 5 mintues

• In a medium-high heat, bring 1 cup of water to boil. Add the grated ginger and crushed spices. Let it boil for a minute.
• Add the tea dust and boil it for 3 minutes on medium heat.
• Now add milk and bring it to a boil.
• Let the tea boil for another 3 minutes on medium heat.
• Strain the tea, add sugar, and mix well.
• Enjoy the hot masala chai !!! 

Note: 
If  you don't like to add sugar, add either palm jaggery or honey. This sweet taste along with the taste of other spices will wake up the digestive system.


Nutrients
Cardamom and cloves boost your memory and blood circulation. Cardamom, in addition, gives mental clarity which we all need it as the first thing in the morning. Ginger kindles the digestive fire in the body. Black pepper helps saliva secretion and flush the toxins accumulated in the body. Milk as we all know has calcium and protein. Tea dust has high antioxidants.

Masala Chai is ready !!!

Try making the masala chai and I am sure you will love it....... The masala chai works wonder during the cold season...

For other recipes that work wonder during cold season refer:

Pepper-Garlic Rasam

Minestrone soup

Poondu Kozhambu Or Garlic Curry