Discover the art of making authentic pink tea at home with this guide, featuring simple recipes that highlight its creamy texture and unique flavour rooted in Kashmiri culture. Perfect for cooking enthusiasts and cultural food lovers alike.
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What is chai tea
Chai tea is traditionally black tea mixed with spices, milk and sugar.
This type of tea originates from India and is also called Masala chai.
Chai is a word for tea in numerous languages and is derived from Mandarin Chá (茶).
Chai is used as a name in Chinese, Korean and Indian and is actually a Hindi word for “tea”, which was derived from “chá”, which belongs to the Chinese language tribe Mandarin and means “tea”.
There are many different types of chai tea and some are even decaffeinated, but traditional chai teas have black tea as the basic ingredient, therefore they will contain caffeine to a greater or lesser degree.
Legend tells us that the origin of chai dates back more than 5,000 years, when a king in what is now India ordered a healing spiced beverage to be used in Ayurveda, an alternative form of Hinduism where herbs and spices are used for healing.
The heat of ginger and black pepper was thought to stimulate digestion; the antiseptic properties of clover were believed to help relieve pain; cardamom was used as an invigorator; cinnamon was thought to support circulation and respiratory function; and star anise was known to freshen breath.
As the healing drink spread across India, a wide variety of spices were used to prepare the drink depending on the region of the continent or even the area where the drink was made.
Believe it or not, original versions of “masala chai” or “spiced tea” contained no black tea or tea leaves in general.
Milk and sugar were also later additions to the famous drink.
As the healing drink spread across India, a wide variety of spices were used to prepare the drink depending on the region of the continent or even the area where the drink was made.
Believe it or not, original versions of “masala chai” or “spiced tea” contained no black tea or tea leaves in general.
Milk and sugar were also later additions to the famous drink.
A universe of tea
Understanding caffeine content in Masala chai: what you need to know
Masala chai typically contains black tea, which has caffeine. The amount varies based on tea type and brewing time, so those sensitive to caffeine should consider this when enjoying this traditional beverage.
The Ultimate Guide to Masala Chai Tea: History, Preparation, and Variations
Masala chai tea offers a rich blend of spices and flavours, deeply rooted in Indian culture. Discover its fascinating history, unique preparation methods, and delightful variations. Explore this aromatic beverage that tantalises the taste buds. Read the article to find out more.
How do you make chai tea?
How to make chai tea can vary from city to city, and family to family, there is no specific recipe that defines chai.
Therefore, there are no generalized methods for making this type of tea.
However, the drink typically consists of these ingredients:
- Black tea: Assam and Darjeeling black teas native to India are the most popular to use as a ‘base’ in tea.
- Sweetener: White sugar, brown sugar and honey are typical ingredients to sweeten chai.
- Milk: Indian chai is often made with buffalo milk.
But the more westernized version that you and I are used to is typically made with cow’s milk or dairy products. - Spices: The spices, or “masala”, used in chai vary by region, climate and cultural preferences.
Traditionally, cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and black peppercorns were dominant chai spices.
How is chai tea brewed?
Chai blends can contain different tea bases and different teas can have varying ideal brewing temperatures, so always ask to read the brewer’s guide for the one you buy.
But we’ve put together some general tips for brewing your chai: When brewing your chai blend, use a ¼ part to ½ part boiled water.
Boil the mixture for up to 5 minutes.
How big these parts should be depends on the potion and ingredients.
For chai with black or green tea leaves, boil for a minimum of 5 minutes or up to 15 minutes for pure herbal chai.
Meanwhile, heat the desired amount of milk to about 90 degrees, do not let it boil.
Stir the hot milk and your favorite desired sweetener (e.g. sugar or honey) into the water-filled chai mixture.
Strain the mixture and it’s ready to enjoy
