📍 India
Masala chai
Black tea boiled with milk, sugar and spices such as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
- Preparation
- 5 min
- Cooking
- 10 min
- Waiting and resting
- 0 min
History
Chai is India's everyday drink: it is served at street stalls, railway stations and homes across the country. The habit of boiling black tea with milk, sugar and spices spread during the 20th century, and today every family and every chaiwala has its own blend.
Ingredients
Preparation
- 1
Boil the water with the cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves for 4 minutes.
- 2
Add the tea and cook for 2 minutes over medium heat.
- 3
Add the milk and sugar and bring to a boil; when the foam rises, lower the heat and let it rise once more.
- 4
Strain the chai and serve piping hot.
Cooking tips
- Crush the cardamom and grate the ginger just before using them so the chai is more aromatic.
Technique and preparation
What to check during preparation
Crush cardamom to open the pods before adding to water. Extract spices first, then add tea; prolonged boiling can make it harsh. After adding milk, watch the foam and lower heat before it boils over. Strain to remove leaves and spice fragments. Adjust sugar at the end and serve at a temperature that can be comfortably sipped.
References to consult
References provide information about the dish, its context or a technique. Quantities in this version may differ from those in the source.
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