Indian chai recipe: Spicy, heartwarming drink for cold days
How to make Indian masala tea (photo: Freepik)
Indian masala tea is a drink made with black tea and spices. It has a rich, spicy flavor and also offers stimulating and warming effects. This drink can be easily prepared at home, says Ukrainian food blogger Anna Stankevych.
What you need to know about the tea
Masala tea is a spiced Indian tea made with black tea, spices, milk, and a sweetener.
The drink boasts an intense aroma and spicy flavor, while the spices stimulate the body and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Potential benefits:
- Antioxidant effect: black tea contains polyphenols that help reduce oxidative stress
- Improved digestion: spices like ginger, cardamom, and black pepper stimulate the digestive system
- Anti-inflammatory effect: ginger, cinnamon, and cloves have mild anti-inflammatory properties
- Immune support: spices contain compounds that may help support the body’s defenses
Important limitations:
- Too much sugar reduces the health benefits of the drink
- Milk and spices may irritate the stomach in people with gastritis or pancreatitis
- Excessive tea consumption due to caffeine can cause insomnia or raise blood pressure
Masala tea recipe
Ingredients for 2 servings:
- Sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Black tea – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 300 ml
- Milk – 300 ml
- Cinnamon sticks – 2
- Cardamom – 4–5 pods
- Cloves – 4–5
- Star anise – 2
- Ground ginger – 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon – 1/4 teaspoon
- Allspice – 4 berries
Instructions:
Combine sugar, tea, and spices, and caramelize them together until the sugar turns a caramel color. Then add water and milk, bring to a boil, and simmer on low heat for a few minutes.
Strain the tea through a sieve and enjoy.
Recipe for Indian spiced tea, which is perfect for warming up in winter (photo: video still)
Earlier, we shared a recipe for revitalizing tea to store for winter.
