How To Make Chai Tea

Chai tea, or Masala Chai to use its proper name, is a spicy, milky hot beverage made from tea leaves and spices brewed in sweetened milk. Traditionally chai tea is brewed up in a big pan on an open fire or stove top, which is stirred throughout the day and served with a ladle and shared with family and friends.

Masala Chai originates from India where grandma (or pa!) would go to her spice cupboard and select various herbs and spices to flavour the milky tea. Often families would develop their own secret, special mix of spices just perfect for them! If you want to have a go at making your own spice mix, it really is very easy!   

Main Spice Recommendations (100g):  

• Ginger

• Cardamon

• Cinnamon

 Additional Spice Recommendations (20g):

• Ginger

• Cardamon 

• Cinnamon

• Star anise

• Peppercorns 

• Nutmeg

• Cloves

• Chilli

Firstly, make sure you have a suitable tin, jar or ziplock pouch to put your spice mix into. Then choose one or two of your main spices from the list above and add 2- 5 of the additional spices to it. You want about 100g of your main spice to 20g of your additional spices.

Take half of your spice mix, place into a small plastic bag (such as a freezer or sandwhich bag) and bash with a wooden spoon (or similar!), until the spices have been ground down. If you have a pestle and mortar then you can grind the spices more easily this way.

Mix your spices back together in your storage vessel of choice.   

There you have it- a super easy chai spice mix ready to go!