Recipe - Chai

Indian tea

Summary:

Chai (Indian word for tea) is the most consumed drink in India. Today India is the world's largest producer and exporter of tea. There are three main types of tea in India.

• Assam tea - This tea has a strong flavor and malty taste.
• Darjeeling tea - It has a delicate and superior flavor and is popular all over the world.
• Nilgiri tea - It has a subtle and unique flavor.

Masala Chai is popular in North India. It is made by brewing tea with spices like cinnamon,cardamom,cloves and ginger. Plain or Masala we Indians need our daily cup of Chai.

My colleague Cheryl asked me if I had posted "Chai" on my blog. Cheryl subscribed to my blog right away after she saw the eye catching photos here :-) Thank you Cheryl!

Cheryl, this is for you. I took these pictures right after I came back from work on the day you asked, took longer to add to the blog :-)

Regular tea (chai):

Ingredients:

• Tea powder/Tea leaves - 1 teaspoon
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon ( according to taste)
• Water - 1 cup
• Milk - 1/4 cup

Method 1:

Boil water, add tea powder and sugar to the boiling water. After 30 seconds turn off the stove. Add half and half cream, filter chai into a kettle and serve chai with any appetizers or cookies.

Method 2:

Boil water and milk with tea powder and sugar. Bring it to a boil, till the desired color is acquired.

Method 3:

Tea can be made faster in microwave for those who have less patience. Microwave water in a cup for 2 minutes. Put one or two tea bags in the cup and stir and squeeze the bags until the tea is dark in color. Add honey/sugar and milk to taste. Total time: 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Ginger Tea (adrak chai/allam chai/tea):

Ingredients:

• Tea powder/Tea leaves - 1 teaspoon
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon (according to taste)
• Water - 3/4 cup
• Milk - 1/4 cup or half and half cream - 1 tablespoon
• Ginger - 1 teaspoon (grated/chopped)

Process:

Method 1:

Boil water with grated ginger.

Add tea powder and sugar to the boiling water. After 30 seconds turn off the stove. Add half and half cream, filter chai into a kettle and serve chai with any appetizers or cookies.

Method 2:

Boil water and milk with ginger, tea powder and sugar. Bring it to a boil, till the desired color is acquired.

MASALA TEA (masala chai):

Ingredients:

• Tea powder/Tea leaves - 1 teaspoon
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon ( according to taste)
• Water - 1 cup
• Milk - 1/4 cup

Spices:

• Ginger - 1 teaspoon
• Clove - 1
• Black pepper - 1 - 2 whole (optional)
• Cardamom powder - little less than 1/4 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/4 inch (or little less than 1/4 teaspoon)

Method:

Add water with all the above spices, bring it to a boil. Simmer for 4 -5 minutes, add tea powder/leaves, sugar and milk. Bring it to a boil, after 30 seconds turn the stove off. Filter masala chai into a kettle to retain its hotness. Sip chai from your favorite tea cup slowly with cookies or with munchies in your own style.


Preparation time 10 minutes
#Servings:1