The 'Indian Masala Chai' is getting popular in America. It is sold in trains, bus stations, or by vendors (called "Chai wallahs") GARAM CHAI (meaning hot tea) is usually accompanied with Indian hot spicy snacks. An average Indian has four chai breaks in a day.
Assam Chai used in Chai masala tea - is a full flavor, robust tea. Assam teas are strong, well rounded and malty with rich aroma and flavor. Chai is served with milk and sugar.
Darjeeling chai at 6,000 feet above sea level, is the best in the world due to its perfect growing conditions: cool, moist climate, high altitude, rainfall, well drained sloping landscape, and soil rich in minerals. This tea has a delicate and superior flavor.
We carry many varieties of Masala Chai, aromatic masalas are added to loose tea to make spiced Chai. Perfect blend of freshly ground spices (masala) like cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and pepper, added to loose leaf tea Add milk to make a delicious, satisfying and healthy beverage. We carry masala chai tea bags in our store
Masala Chai requires heavy stainless steel pots for brewing.
Tea can be brewed in water or directly in milk. Skim milk is delicious for chai. Tea may be brewed in skim, 2% or whole milk.
For a more intense flavor, grate fresh ginger into chai as it brews.
Tea Recipes, Chai Recipes, Masala Chai Recipe
Plain Chai- makes 2 cups
Water 1½ cups
Dried tea leaves (or tea powder) 2 tsp.
Whole milk 1/2 cup.
Sugar as per taste.
1. Heat the milk for 30 seconds in the microwave.
2. Boil the water.
3. Add the tea leaves.
4. When the concoction starts boiling, remove it from the fire.
5. Divide the milk into 2 cups.
6. Strain the tea into the cups.
7. Remove strainer add sweetener as per taste and stir the tea well.
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Masala Chai Recipes:
Ingredients
Water by 2/3 cup per person
Milk (whole or skim) by 2/3 cup per person
1½ cups Dried tea leaves (or tea powder) 1.5 tsp. for first person and then 1 tsp. per person. More than 5 persons reduce per person tea to 3/4 tsp.
Sugar to taste.
Methods
1. Boil the water in a saucepan.
2. Add the tea spices by a pinch per person or whole spices as explained above. More if you want it more robust in spices. Experiment for personal taste.
2. Add the tea leaves.
4. When the concoction starts boiling, Add milk.
5. Boil for about a minute.
6. Strain the tea into the cups.
7. Remove strainer add sweetener as per taste and stir the tea well.
ADD Spices for the tea above per cup or per person
Add a 1/4 inch piece of ginger,
1 cardamom pod, crushed in a mortar
1/4 inch cinnamon stick
2 whole black peppers - crushed in a mortar
1 small pinch of fennel
1 strand of saffron
1 pinch of ginger powder
1 Clove
1 pinch of dried mint
One may experiment with combining the above to make many recipes. Popular combinations are cardamom and cinnamon, ginger with cardamom, clove, cardamom and cinnamon. Mint is also used.
