Masala chai (masala means spice) also known as spice tea is a blend of traditional Indian spices. While there are many recipes or preparation methods, it typically involves brewing a strong black tea with healthy spices that are beneficial for to the overall health. The traditional Indian masala chai is made with 5 essential spices that includes cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black peppercorn, and ginger.
SPICES USED AND BENEFITS
CINNAMON – Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory effects that reduce inflammation in the body thereby healing muscle pains, headaches, menstural cramps etc. It is rich in antioxidants that helps to fight free radicals in the body.
CARDAMOM – Cardamom detoxifies and cleanses the liver. It stimulates circulation, helps fight seasonal allergies and prevents cold, cough, stuffy nose etc.
CLOVE – Cloves are one of the best stimulants which is known for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and vaso-relaxing properties.
GINGER – Ginger is packed with high number of potent antioxidant compounds and also has anti-inflammatory properties. It also aids in digestion and improves metabolism. It boosts immunity to ward off cold, flu and other infections.
PEPPERCORNS – Rich in anti-oxidants that help you fight free radicals in the body thereby getting you rid of heavy metals. It has fat burning property thus helps to maintain a healthy weight. READ MORE – CUCUMBER WATER for glowing skin
MASALA CHAI TEA RECIPE
Main ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoon black tea leaves (assam tea )
- 1/4 cup milk or more (soy/almond/coconut/cream)
- sugar or honey to taste
Spices –
- Cinnamon stick – 1 inch
- Green cardamoms pods – 2-3
- Grated fresh ginger – 1 inch
- Cloves – 2
Optional Ingredients –
- Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
- Fennel seeds – 1/4 tsp
Method –
Add all the spices – cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves to a mortar and pestle, crush lightly and keep it aside. You can dry roast the spices before crushing them to enhance the flavors and make the tea more strong.
In a saucepan, add water and let it come to a boil. Once the water is boiled, add in the crushed spices and boil for 2-3 mins. Add in the sugar, black tea leaves and let it boil for 1 min ( for stronger tea boil for 2-3 mins).
Add milk and simmer for 2-3 mins If using chilled milk, then boil with tea for 2 to 3 minutes. If using hot milk, then add the milk and switch off the heat) Strain the tea into a cup using a tea strainer. Serve hot with cookies !!
To make masala chai spice mix –
Ingredients:
- dry ginger powder – 2 tbsp
- green cardamom – 2 tbsp
- cinnamon sticks – 6-8 sticks, about 2 inch
- cloves – 1 tbsp
- nutmeg – 1/2, grated
- fennel seeds – 1 tbsp
- pepper corns – 2 tsp ( optional)
Recipe – First, you need to dry roast certain spices for few minutes until it is well toasted and aromatic – cinnamon, cloves, pepper, nutmeg grated, fennel seeds and cardamom. Add the roasted spices to a grinder and grind it until fine. Add ginger powder to it and mix well. Cool and store in an air-tight container.
To use, add 1/4 teaspoon or more of the spice mix to 2 cups of water and let it simmer. Add tea leaves and milk of choice. Serve hot.