Cool Weather Comfort with Masala Chai

Masala Chai Recipe | Homemade | MapleandMarigold.com

In India, Masala Chai is everywhere! Literally everywhere. From the tiny tea shop on the corner to the fancy restaurants in five-star hotels, everyone has Masala Chai on the menu. This warm spicy drink is my go-to comfort beverage (after turmeric milk) and the aroma of spices will uplift your senses too.

Culture in a Cup

And yet, for something as common as Masala Chai, this drink has a unique flavour – EVERY SINGLE TIME. No one cup ever tastes the same as the next one. Whether it is served at street-side carts or in your friend’s living room, every vendor, every family has their own recipe. There are even contentious arguments about the technique. “Do you boil milk with tea leaves,” or are you in the “Boil water with tea leaves and add milk at the end?” camp? There’s a difference. The quantity of milk, the exact point at which it is added and the combination of spices. So much can make a difference in the flavour and aroma.

If ever there was a drink that perfectly represented the multi-faceted, multi-coloured culture of India, Masala Chai would be that drink.

But I’m not here to comment on Indian culture or to take on the Aunties in a “my recipe is the best” debate. What I am here to do is to share with you my mom’s Masala Chai recipe. It is fabulous and the spices will warm you from the inside out.

There is something to be said about the slow process of boiling water in a saucepan, adding spices, ginger, tea leaves and letting it all simmer together. Your kitchen smells amazing and after that first sip come on over to Instagram and drop me a DM. I know you will love it.

Make it Your Own

After all that buildup, this had better be good, right? Yes – it is. So good that I brought to my last TV appearance on Canada’s favourite talk show ,The Social on CTV.

Here is how you can make the spice blend at home.

Masala Chai Recipe | Homemade | MapleandMarigold.com

This spice blend is based on my mother’s recipe. It can stay in an airtight jar in a cool dark place for months, ready when you need a warming cuppa to lift you up. Once the blend is prepared, here are steps to make your Masala Chai at home.

In my version, I brew the spice blend and ginger to bring out the flavour and essential oils. I add a couple of black tea bags at the end (or tea leaves) and turn the heat off. If you let tea simmer for too long the flavour changes and so I add it at the end. Add a splash of milk at the end along with sugar if you like.

Masala Chai Recipe | Homemade | MapleandMarigold.com

The best way to have Masala Chai is to serve it piping hot and with a friend. That’s why the two cup recipe.

Masala Chai Recipe | Homemade | MapleandMarigold.com

This tea with its aromas of ginger, cardamom and other warming spices, is the ultimate cold-weather comfort. For more ideas about warming winter drinks, see Indian Kahwa and Orange Peel tea.

Questions + Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Varun Sharma
2 years ago

Masala chai is my favorite chai.

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma<br/><small>Photo by Tanvi Madkaiker</small>
Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
Photo by Tanvi Madkaiker

About Puneeta

Author, Educator, Speaker

Puneeta is a writer, food advocate and guide for those who seek earth-friendly, delicious solutions that work for real life.

Staying Grounded logo

Inspiration for living an abundant, delicious and doable life that brings people and planet closer together.

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Tree--Pledge_01--Maple_and_Marigold

Use what you have, reuse what you can, reduce what you throw away, and repurpose the rest.

Staying Grounded logo

Subscribe to the newsletter

As a subscriber you will receive a fortnightly-ish newsletter about food, people and planet, and the stories and science behind it all. You'll also receive news about Maple + Marigold and Puneeta, as well as tasty recipes, health-boosting foods, sustainable swaps and tips to live well.

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

1
0
Send us your questions and comments.x
()
x
Scroll to Top