Alright, let’s be honest—how many times have you searched “the best way to make Indian chai at home”? Don’t worry, we all have our google moments! Regardless of the search results, the truth in the world of chai is that practice makes perfect. Once you start brewing your chai regularly, you’ll soon master the art of creating your own signature blend. Every chai lover knows this unspoken truth.

The Essence of Indian Chai

Unlike the tea commonly consumed in North America or the UK, Indian chai is a rich, milky, and deeply flavored beverage. It’s best enjoyed piping hot, offering a comforting experience with every sip.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To create the perfect cup of Indian chai, you’ll need:

• Strong, black tea leaves: Our premium blends at The Chai Kettle are ideal.

• Whole milk: For a creamy and rich texture.

• Sugar: Adjust to taste.

• Spices: For Masala Chai, consider adding cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf, and peppercorns.

The Brewing Process

1. Combine Ingredients: Start by adding water, milk, tea leaves, and sugar to a saucepan. For Masala Chai, add your spices as well.

2. Simmer: Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it starts to boil. Once it reaches a rapid boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer. The goal is to achieve a rich brown color.

3. Boil and Simmer: Increase the heat again, allowing the mixture to come to a vigorous boil, then let it simmer. Repeat this process a few times.

4. Strain and Serve: Once the chai reaches a beautiful brown hue and a fragrant aroma, remove it from heat. Strain the chai into cups and serve immediately.

Tips for the Perfect Chai

• Quality Ingredients: The success of your chai largely depends on the quality of your tea leaves, water, and milk. At The Chai Kettle, we source our tea leaves from the finest gardens in Assam and Dooars.

• Fresh Spices: Whether you roast and grind your own spices or use pre-made tea masala, fresh spices make all the difference.

• Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be afraid to experiment with the proportions of milk, sugar, and spices until you find your perfect blend.

Basic Chai Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 4 tsp. loose leaf tea

• Sugar, to taste

• 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Add water, milk, sugar, and tea leaves in a small pot and stir everything to mix.

2. Continue heating over medium-high heat until the mix is rapidly boiling.

3. Turn heat down a bit, and let the tea simmer until the color begins to change to a darker brown, 3-5 minutes.

4. Increase the heat again and let the tea come to 3 more vigorous boils, approximately 2-3 minutes.

5. Remove from heat, and strain into cups immediately.

Masala Chai Recipe

Follow the same recipe and method as above, but also add:

• Small chunk of ginger, smashed

• 1 bay leaf

• 4 green cardamom pods, crushed

• Small sliver of cinnamon

• 4 peppercorns

• 3 cloves

Add these spices, whole, to the water when you add the tea leaves. If using pre-made tea masala, remember that a little goes a long way!