Masala chai is an Indian tea specialty that blends spicy, sweet, and milky flavors. This tea is delicious and different wherever you try it because everyone has crafted their own version of the classic. I'm going to walk you through the fundamental ingredients of a masala chai and also show you how the pros concoct their own (disclaimer: the pro is a kind-hearted Indian tea master).
There are six base ingredients that you need to make a masala chai and they are cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black tea, and sugar. Aside from these, you can mix in peppercorn, anise, orange peel, mint, and many other tasty additions. Some masala chai is spicy and invigorating while others are smooth and calming- and there is everything in between.
Masala chai is prepared with milk as well and the ingredients are boiled on the stovetop. Often in coffee and tea shops, you have the option to have a masala chai with almond, soy, and oat milk as well as cow milk. You can also replace the traditional sugar with honey, maple, agave nectar, or other sweeteners.
Krishna's Tea Stall is a famous place for masala chai in Bundi, Rajasthan, in Northern India. Mr. Krishna owns the shop and brews the masala chai. Many people who visit the shop say he is not only a skilled tea master but also a very kind person. This video shows him meticulously brewing a masala chai (skip to 5:00 for the best part).