How to Make Authentic Masala Chai at Home

In traditional Indian households, Chai is not brewed like Western tea where leaves sit in plain hot water. Instead, it is cooked on the hob.

When using a Masala Chai blend, relying on this method allows the fats in the milk to bind with the tea polyphenols and spice oils, creating a velvety, full-bodied texture that a standard mug-steeping method cannot replicate.

Ingredients & Equipment

This recipe yields two traditional cups (or one large mug) of chai.

Ingredients

  1. Water: 1 cup
  2. Whole Milk: 1 cup
  3. Brockworth Loose-Leaf Masala Chai Blend: 2.5 to 3 teaspoons
  4. Fresh Ginger (Optional Boost): 1/2-inch piece, crushed
  5. Sugar: 2 teaspoons (adjust to taste; sweetener brings out the natural flavour profile of the spices)

Equipment

  1. Small saucepan
  2. Fine-mesh strainer
  3. Ladle or spoon (for aerating)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Simmer the Water, Milk and Chai Blend

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of milk and 2.5 to 3 teaspoons of your Masala Chai blend (plus fresh crushed ginger, if using). Bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Lower the flame slightly and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to fully extract the spice aromatics and black tea base.

Step 2: Add Sugar

Stir in the sugar. Turn the heat back up to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Strain and Serve

Turn off the heat. Place a fine-mesh strainer over your mugs and pour the hot chai through. Discard the spent tea leaves and spices from the strainer. Serve piping hot alongside biscuits or shortbread.

Pro Tips:

  • Check the Tea Base: Ensure your blend uses a sturdy black tea base, such as Assam CTC (small pellet-style black tea). Use Brockworth Aromatic Masala Chai.
  • Don't Skip the Sweetener: Sugar is not just for sweetness, it actively cuts through the astringency of the strong black tea and heightens the warm spice notes in your blend.
  • Shake the Bag First: Spices tend to settle at the bottom of tea tins or bags. Give your chai blend bag a quick shake before scooping to ensure an even mix of spices and tea leaves in every cup.
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