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–+ servings
Stav Kogan

The Soul-Warming Magic of Street-Style Chai

This recipe is an homage to the potent, soul-warming elixir served at roadside stalls in India. A perfectly balanced, fragrant masala chai that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Mumbai. A small spoonful of sugar is essential to awaken the ginger and spices, trans
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 cup
Calories: 85
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 8 green cardamom pods
  • 2-inch / 5 cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 4 whole cloves
  • ½ cinnamon stick
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water
  • 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
  • 2 strong black tea bags or 2 tbsp (30 ml) loose-leaf tea
  • Sugar, jaggery, or preferred sweetener to taste
  • Pro-Tips for the Perfect Chai
  • For a more intense flavor, lightly toast the cloves and cinnamon stick in the dry saucepan for 30 seconds before adding the water and other spices.
  • Use a strong, robust black tea like Assam CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) for the most authentic taste that can stand up to the milk and spices.
  • For a richer, more traditional sweetness, swap the sugar for jaggery (gur). Add it at the very end after straining the chai.
  • Control the ginger's heat: for a spicier kick, crush the ginger instead of grating it to release more of its fiery oils.

Method
 

  1. Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife, gently bruise the cardamom pods until they just crack open.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the bruised cardamom pods, grated ginger, cloves, cinnamon stick, and 2 cups (480 ml) of water.
  3. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the water with the spices.
  4. Add the milk and tea bags to the saucepan.
  5. Bring the mixture back up to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil over.
  6. Carefully strain the chai through a fine-mesh sieve into cups.
  7. Serve immediately, with sugar on the side for everyone to sweeten as they wish.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 4g

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