Traveling Through Time

Passport & Plate - Homemade Masala Chai

India | Friday, March 6, 2015 | 5 photos

•2 crushed green cardamom pods
•2 teaspoons of sugar (as needed)
•2 tea bags of black tea
•½ teaspoon tea masala powder (Badshah Kamal tea masala which is available at Indian stores)
•¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon powder
•1 cup Lowfat of Vitamin D milk
•1 cup water
• ⅛ teaspoon of pumpkin spice

How to prepare this recipe
1. Mix 1 cup of water and 1 cup of milk in a pot.
2. Lightly crush two cardamoms with a mortar and pestle. Add 2 crushed green cardamoms.
3. Add ½ teaspoon tea masala powder. You can buy Badshah Kamal tea masala at Indian stores.
4. Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon powder.
5. Add ⅛ teaspoon of pumpkin spice
6. Add 2 teaspoons of sugar (as needed).
7. Stir gently.
8. Add 2 tea bags in the pot and bring the chai to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
9. Reduce the heat to low and let the tea bags steep into the mixture for one additional minute. Let the mixture simmer. Stir gently.
10. Pour the chai into two cups by using a fine strainer. If you have clay cups available, pour the chai into the clay cups for a rich authentic Indian flavor.
11. Two cups of masala chai are ready for your enjoyment!
12. Enjoy the masala chai with biscuits.

The story behind this recipe
When I lived in New Delhi, India, I drank delicious masala chai every single day. Every time I visited my aunt’s home in India, I was always offered a steaming hot cup of masala chai. Masala chai in India is ubiquitous and every corner has a chaiwallah (chai vendor) who offers this popular beverage to students, housewives, salary men, and grandparents. Young and old flock to the chaiwallah to chat and share their experiences over a cup of steaming hot masala chai. Masala in Hindi translates to “spices.” Grated ginger, black pepper, and cardamom are common ingredients in the chai. Milk and sugar are also mixed in. Whenever I visit India I enjoy a delightful steaming hot cup of masala chai, which I consider to be “real, authentic chai.”

In the U.S., I learned the art of making a wonderful cup of chai from my parents, who passed on their recipe to me. Whenever my family and I make chai together, we chat and share stories. Chai bonds our family and brings us closer together. We share fond memories of out travels through India and our wonderful chai experiences! Chai holds a special place in my heart and I always treasure a great cup of masala chai!