Top 10 Masala Tea Recipes to Try this Year – Indian tea is the pinnacle of tea-making. If you didn’t already know, people in India are huge fans of spices and they can’t resist putting them just about anywhere. You’ve seen it with their food, now it’s time to take a look at their beverages. Gurus, monks, and regular folk have seen tea is a staple of everyday life for hundreds of years now.
Used as a meditation aid and refreshment, the Masala Chai is one of the staples of Indian cuisine, loved by healthy-eaters around the world. As if the black tea wasn’t already healthy on its own, the Indian brewing masters had an idea to add many delicious spices to the mix. This includes holy basil, dried rose buds, ginger, cinnamon, mace, turmeric and many other healthy spices.
Of course, the immense number of taste blends only means that there are infinite options for making your ideal blend. Here, we have compiled The Top 10 Masala Tea Recipes to try this year. Let’s take a look at the different preparation methods and how do they affect the taste exactly.
An Overview of the Masala Tea
Before we begin with the elaboration and description of every recipe, we would like to point out the two different types of masala tea. The traditional option is the creamy, milk one. There, you just put less water in exchange for creamy goodness. The second one is lighter and serves more as a refreshment than an actual creamy delight.
Another thing that’s worth mentioning is the preparation of the spice mix. No matter how many spices you choose to include in the mix, you have to prepare them. When preparing the ingredients for future batches, you have to pound them all with a mortar and pestle and put them in an air-tight container. That way, you will have a ready-made batch of Masala Chai mix, both fresh and delicious at the same time.
List of the Top 10 Masala Chai Recipes to Try this Year
Now, we’re going to include the mix for each version, as well as the amount of each spice. Of course, you can mix, compare and contrast different version until you reach the ideal one for you. Let’s see what does the ever-amazing Indian culture hide from us and how can we use it for a valuable daily refreshment.
1) The vegan version
Spice mix:
- 50g of black tea leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 10 green cardamom pods
- 3 whole cloves
- 20 black peppercorns
- 1 ½ teaspoons funnel seeds
- ½ of a whole nutmeg
Directions:
Put the black tea leaves in the kettle when the water begins boiling. After the tea itself is done releasing the taste in the water, make sure to put the spices in right away. Stir it for a minute or two and it will be good to go. If you want to experiment, you can also add some sea salt, along with black sugar.
2) Reinforced ginger version
Spice mix:
- 5 tablespoons ginger dry powder
- 4 tablespoons cardamom green
- 1 cup lemon grass
- 1 tablespoon of cloves
- ½ cup tulsi leaves
- 2 cinnamon stick
Directions:
This version gives you the option to road the green cardamom and cloves, alongside some crushed nutmeg. You can put them in a blender before adding them to the kettle with tea, alongside the ginger powder. Goes well with whipped cream.
3) Simplified version
Spice mix:
- 3 tbsp. tea
- 1 tbsp. ground cardamom
- ½ cup saffron
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tbsp. black pepper
Directions:
This simplified version requires almost no work whatsoever. You just simply take the mix and put it in in the stirred pot. A good decision for this version would be to cook it on low fire for about 30 minutes. The fewer spices there are, the less cooking time it requires.
4) Kadak/winter special
Spice mix:
- 20g turmeric
- 10g holy basic
- 3 sticks cinnamon
- ¼ tbsp. black pepper
- Less black tea than usual
Directions: Just like with the other version, the ground mix should be added during the stirring process. Because it’s for relaxation, black tea isn’t so abundant in this recipe. Turmeric and cinnamon have the lead and pull it off quite well.
5) Spring special
Spice mix:
- 6 tbsp. sugar
- 3 teaspoons Assam tea
- 2 cups of ground ginger
- ¼ cups cloves
- 2/4 cup black peppercorn
- 1/2 cup ground cinnamon
- ½ green cardamom pods
Directions:
Because it’s spring time, you want a sugar bomb that will give you both the energy and the minerals you want. It’s easy to make, like the other recipes, but only in this cases you need to add ginger when everything is done. Milk is also optional.
6) Mild almond milk version
Spice mix:
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cardamom pods
- 6 pink peppercorns
- 3 cloves
- A blend of green and black tea
- 1 tbsp. black ginger
Directions: The method is the same yet again, but with a milder mix of spices, plus almond milk for a better protein boost.
7) Exotic mix
Spice mix:
- ¼ spoon black tea
- 6-7 tulsi leaves
- ½ cup ginger
- ½ tbsp. vanilla powder
- 1 egg yolk
Directions: Yet again, we see the same principle. An egg yolk is another addition to this health bomb, providing the mix with a better balance of thickness and iron content.
8) Daalchini Spice Chai
Spice mix:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 2-3 teaspoons black tea leaves
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon jaggery (optional for sweetness)
Directions:
- Boil water with cinnamon sticks.
- Add tea leaves, simmer, add milk, and bring to a boil.
- Strain the mixture.
- Add jaggery if desired.
- Enjoy the warm, spiced goodness.
9) Kesar Masala Chai
Spice Mix:
- 1 and ½ tsp tea powder
- 10 strands of saffron, soaked in milk/water
- ½ tsp crushed ginger
- 1 cardamom
- ¼ tsp chai masala
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp sugar
Directions:
- Boil water in a pan and add tea powder. Boil for one minute.
- Add soaked saffron, crushed ginger, cardamom, chai masala, and sugar.
- Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Filter through a metal strainer.
- Heat serving cups with hot water, then discard the water.
- Serve the tea in the preheated cups.
10) Iced Masala Tea
Spice Mix:
- Loose-leaf Black tea – 3 tbsp. (Darjeeling or Assam recommended)
- Allspice berries – 4
- Star anise – 4
- Peppercorns – 8
- Cloves – 8
- Cinnamon sticks – 2
- Ginger – ¼ cup (sliced)
- Cardamom pods – 8 (crushed)
- Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Honey or maple syrup – 2 ½ tbsp. or to taste
- Ice and Milk – to taste
Directions:
- In a pot, combine the tea, ginger, water, and spices.
- Let the mixture boil and lower the heat to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain the tea.
- Add in maple syrup/honey and vanilla to the tea.
- Mix equal parts of tea and milk in a cup.
- Add the ice and top it with mint leaves and/or star anise.
Wrapping Up!
Masala chai is more than just a beverage in India—it is a cultural emblem, a catalyst for connections, and an embodiment of warmth and hospitality. Its presence in daily life, rituals, and festivals showcases its profound significance in Indian culture. From the bustling streets to the tranquil corners of homes, masala chai is a beloved elixir that unites people, sparks conversations, and leaves an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of India.
So, the next time you savour a steaming cup of masala chai, remember the rich cultural heritage it carries, and let it transport you to the vibrant streets and warm-hearted conversations of India.
FAQs on Top 10 Masala Tea Recipes to Try this Year
Q1. Which masala is best for chai?
A: Spices – The basic and most common spices used in masala tea are green cardamoms, cloves and cinnamon. The other optional spices are black pepper, ginger, fennel seeds, nutmeg and star anise. Each spice has its own health benefits.
Q2. Can I drink masala tea daily?
A: Cinnamon and clove are the ingredients that give masala pahadi chai strong immunity-boosting properties. A daily cup of masala tea can protect you from diseases that range from the common cold to an upset stomach.
Q3. What is golden masala chai?
A: Aromatic, warm and rich: that is how this masala chai can be described. The addition of fresh turmeric not only gives it a lovely golden touch but also makes it perfect for the winter season, providing much-needed immunity and warmth. Chai is the quintessential drink for many Indian households.
Q4. Does masala tea burn belly fat?
A: If you’re trying to reach any weight loss goals, chai tea can also help your body burn fat and boost your metabolism. The black tea combined with cinnamon can help reduce cholesterol and help your body turn calories into energy faster.
