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Chai tea and autumn go hand in hand, don’t you think? Bold black tea, warm baking spices, and creamy milk, all steeped together until steaming hot. Yumm!
Chai, or masala chai as it’s often called, is a spiced tea blend originating in India. It’s typically made from black tea, spices, milk, and sometimes a bit of sweetener. While recipes vary, the most common spices are cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and black pepper. These spices, when combined, create a drink that’s both warming and bold – perfect for a cold, snuggly day.
Making chai at home lets you control the quantity and quality of the ingredients. Your DIY chai blend will be fresh, with no extra stuff like preservatives or flavors, and you can tweak the recipe to suit your preference – spicy, sweet, or somewhere in between, it’s up to you! Plus, it’s cheaper than buying chai from a café, giving you more reasons to enjoy it whenever you want.
Essential Ingredients for DIY Chai Tea
Making chai tea at home is simple, but the key is using fresh, good-quality ingredients. Each part of the recipe plays an important role in creating that perfect balance of rich, spicy, and warming flavors. Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients you’ll need:
Tea
The foundation of chai is black tea. A strong black tea like Assam is a popular choice because it holds up well to the bold spices. Other black teas and black tea blends will also work, but be sure to choose a tea that has a strong enough flavor to stand up to the spices. Loose leaf tea tends to give the best flavor, but tea bags will work in a pinch.
Looking for a caffeine-free option? A popular choice is rooibos (an herbal tisane commonly used in decaf chai blends), or opt for a strong decaf tea, like the Decaf Ceylon from Harney and Sons. You can also skip the tea entirely and just make a spiced milk blend.
A Few Tasty Tea Options
Harney & Sons Organic Assam Loose Leaf Tea, 16 oz
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Harney & Sons Decaffeinated Ceylon, 16 oz loose leaf tea
Buy Now →
Spices
Spices are what give chai its signature flavor. Be sure to use fresh spices with a strong aroma. Generally, the best spices are available from quality spice merchants or the bulk section of grocery stores with a fast inventory turnover. The spices in this recipe are:
Milk
Traditionally, chai is made with whole milk, which gives it a creamy texture that pairs well with the tea and spices. However, you can use any kind of milk you prefer. Non-dairy options like almond or oat milk work well, with each type of milk giving the chai a slightly different taste and feel.
Sweetener
Sweetening chai is optional, but I find a touch of sweetness helps bring all the flavors together. Use whatever sweetener you like. My recommendation is honey or maple syrup.
Customizing Your Chai Blend
One of the best things about making chai at home is that you can customize it to suit your tastes. Whether you like your chai extra spicy, extra sweet, strong, or mild, there are plenty of ways to make it your own.
Spice Variations
The spices have the biggest impact on the flavor of chai tea, and you can easily adjust them to match your preferences. If you like your chai spicier, add more ginger or black peppercorns. For a sweeter, more aromatic chai, increase the amount of cinnamon or cardamom. The great thing is that there’s no wrong way to do it—just experiment until you find the right balance for you.
Adding Extra Flavors
Once you’ve got the basic chai blend down, you can get creative by adding other flavors. A dash of cayenne will add a kick of heat, while a tiny splash of vanilla extract can add a warm sweetness. The addition of star anise will give the chai a unique hint of licorice. Some people even like to add a pinch of saffron for an extra touch of richness and color.
Adjusting Sweetness
The level of sweetness is another area where you can customize your chai. Some people like their chai unsweetened, while others enjoy it with a generous amount of sugar or honey. The type of sweetener you use will impact the flavor, as well. White sugar will have a more neutral flavor, while honey will bring a floral, herbaceous note, and maple syrup will add darker, richer flavors. The key is to add a little at a time and taste as you go, so you don’t end up with a cup that’s too sweet.
Homemade Chai Tea Recipe
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Homemade Chai Tea Recipe
- Total Time: 15 to 20 minutes
- Yield: 18 to 20 ounces of chai, enough for about 2 servings 1x
Description
Spice up your tea routine with this bold homemade chai! Rich black tea blends with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, balanced by just a touch of sweetness. Perfect for a cozy, flavorful cup any time of day.
Ingredients
- 10 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 4 cinnamon sticks, about 3 inches each
- 5 whole cloves
- 8 black peppercorns
- 2 cups water
- 2 grams (about 1 teaspoon) dried ginger powder (or a few slices of fresh ginger)
- 15 grams black tea leaves (1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons or more, depending on the shape of the tea leaves, or 4 or more tea bags) (see notes)
- 1 cup milk (whatever type of milk you prefer. Whole milk is my favorite.)
- 1 tablespoon sweetener, plus more to taste (sugar, honey, or maple syrup are all yummy choices) (see notes)
- Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- Toast the whole spices (optional): If you want to bring out the flavors even more, lightly toast the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Keep a close eye on the spices as they will quickly go from fragrant to burned.
- Boil the spices and tea: In a medium saucepan, add the water, all of the spices, and the tea. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Add milk: After the tea and spices have simmered, add the milk. Let it gently heat on low to medium-low until the first simmering bubbles begin to appear. Avoid bringing the mixture to a full boil.
- Sweeten and strain: Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of sweetener or more to taste. Strain the chai into cups, sprinkle or grate a dusting of fresh nutmeg over top, and serve.
Equipment
Harney & Sons Decaffeinated Ceylon, 16 oz loose leaf tea
Buy Now →Harney & Sons Organic Assam Loose Leaf Tea, 16 oz
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Buy Now → Notes
It’s best to measure loose leaf tea by weight since the volume can vary significantly. For most tea preparations, I suggest using 4 to 5 grams of tea per 8 ounces of liquid. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can start with 1 1/2 generous teaspoons of leaves for every 8 ounces of liquid. In this recipe, that’s about 4 1/2 teaspoons or 1 1/2 tablespoons of tea leaves. On the other hand, tea bags are usually quite weak, so you’ll likely need at least 4 tea bags, or maybe more, to brew a strong batch of chai tea.
Sweetening chai is optional, but I find a touch of sweetness rounds everything out and helps bring all the flavors together. Use whatever sweetener you like. My recommendation is honey or maple syrup.
Variation Ideas – use this recipe as a base, experimenting with the variations to find your perfect blend
- Spicy Chai: Want more of a kick? Add extra ginger and black peppercorns to the mix. You can also toss in a dash of cayenne pepper for an extra spicy version.
- Vanilla Chai: A tiny splash of vanilla extract can add a warm sweetness.
- Licorice Chai: The addition of star anise or fennel seeds can give your chai a unique licorice-like flavor.
- Saffron Chai: Add a pinch of saffron for an extra touch of richness and color and a subtle honey-floral flavor.
- Iced Chai: For a refreshing iced chai, remove the spiced tea and water blend from the heat after step 2. Don’t add the milk yet. Strain the tea and spices, then allow to cool. Serve it over ice mixed with cold milk.
FAQs
What pairs well with chai tea?
Chai is a versatile drink that pairs beautifully with all kinds of snacks. For something light, try butter cookies, biscotti, or shortbread. If you’re in the mood for something savory, samosas (a type of fried Indian dumpling) or bhajis (an Indian fried veggie fritter) can be great companions to a hot cup of chai. The spices in the tea also work nicely with spiced nuts or fruit pastries.
Can I grind my spice blend to make a powdered chai mix?
Yes, you can! Grinding the spices into a powder will give you a ready-to-use chai mix that’s quicker to brew. Break the cinnamon sticks into small pieces, then grind the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Store the powder in an airtight container. When you’re ready to make chai, add about 1-2 teaspoons of the powdered mix to your tea and milk. It’s a great time-saver if you’re looking for a more convenient option.
Can I use different types of tea?
Yes, while black tea is traditional for chai, you can experiment with other teas like green tea or even herbal blends. Just keep in mind that the flavor and strength will vary, so you may need to adjust the amounts.
What if I don’t have all the spices?
If you’re missing a spice or two, don’t worry! You can still make a delicious chai with what you have on hand. This recipe is very flexible. Even a dash of cinnamon with a splash of milk in your tea will be delicious!
Additional Resources
Black Tea: What Is It, How It’s Made, Brewing Tips & More
Black tea is a type of tea that has undergone more oxidation than green, oolong, and white teas, giving it a stronger flavor and darker color. It’s known for its robust taste profiles, varying from sweet and malty to floral and fruity.
Autumn Tea Party Ideas: Celebrate Fall with Cozy Sips and Seasonal Bites
As the crisp air of autumn settles in, there’s no better way to embrace the season than with a cozy tea party! In this guide, we’re sharing all the inspiration you need to host an unforgettable autumn tea party, complete with seasonal tea selections, delicious fall-inspired food pairings, and cozy décor ideas. Ready to make your autumn gathering one to remember? Click through for all the details! 🍂☕
It’s your turn! What are your favorite chai spice blends? Share them in the comments below.
Happy brewing!
