Masala Chai Tea {Karak Chai Tea}

Quick and easy masala chai tea recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. This Indian karak chai is full of black loose leaf and warm spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger).

I used to think my Mom made the best chai latte. Sorry mom! You have been dethroned because hubby's homemade recipe is amazing! Yes, I have tried that copycat Starbucks recipe and hands down, this recipe is so much better. It's starting to get really chilly here but thankfully this easy, warm, and aromatic tea makes the cold bearable. You can serve it hot, which is the way it's traditionally served or cold with ice cubes and a topping of whipped cream which is really delicious and refreshing during Summer time. This Easy Spice Cake {Chai Tea Cake} has all the delicious flavors of this tea, but in cake form. Chai may be my favorite warm beverage but this Indian Mango Lassi {With Mango Pulp} and Turmeric Latte (Golden Milk Latte) are some of my favorite classic Indian drinks as well.

How to make easy homemade masala chai tea recipe from scratch? 

1. Grind spices- Including cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger. 
2. Boil tea- Add milk, water, loose black tea, crushed spices, sugar and cook.  
3. Simmer- At a lower heat.
4. Bring to a boil- Then lower heat again and simmer.  
5. Pour into cups- Through a fine sieve. Enjoy!

What's the difference between masala chai tea and chai tea latte?

There is very distinct difference. Masala chai tea is the recipe below. It is made by boiling the spices and tea leaves in milk but chai tea latte involves adding a concentrated spiced tea mixture to steamed milk creating 2 distinct layers. That's why chai tea latte has a lighter, foamy texture whereas masala chai tea is more smooth and creamy.

What type of tea leaves are used to make chai? Can you use tea bags?

I personally prefer loose black tea leaves but you can use the same quantity of tea bags too. The process is the same. Boil milk, spices and tea bags altogether for about 20 minutes. The, pour through a fine sieve and enjoy.

Variations for best karak chai tea

Chai latte- Simply pour a concentrated spiced tea mixture over steamed milk to create 2 distinct layers.

Make chai tea concentrate- boil together water, sugar and many spices like cinnamon, ginger, peppercorns, vanilla bean, allspice, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and black tea leaves for about 15 minutes. Then, this mixture is poured through a fine mesh sieve and stored in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Make a frappuchino- Blend the chai with ice to create a frozen version.

Add vanilla- In the form of a coffee syrup or extract for additional flavor.

Add a caramel drizzle- Such as this How To Make Homemade Caramel Sauce for added sweetness.

Add other spices- Such as pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.

Tips and techniques for masala chia tea

Must boil the tea twice, and then let it simmer for a few minutes- Because this process helps in releasing a lot of flavor into the chai.

How to really enhance the flavor of all the spices and allow maximum flavor to seep into the milk? Let everything cook on medium heat for 30 minutes, bringing everything to a boil at the very end before removing it from heat.

Don't let the chai boil out of the saucepan- Because that would get rid of a lot of flavor and milk fat content.

Use whole milk- Hubby swears by whole milk, not low fat milk or fat free milk! Good old whole milk! He says that's what gives chai the perfect consistency and flavor.

Only use granulated sugar- Because he says that's the traditional and authentic way of sweetening chai. Do not use honey or molasses or brown sugar!

Use a milk frother- Because this gives your chai latte a professional frothy appearance. However, this is not the way it's done back home. Instead, you pour the tea back and forth between 2 saucepans multiple times until the chai gets frothy.

Adjust the amount of sugar and spices- According to your preference.

Storage of homemade Indian tea

Refrigerate- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed mason jar for up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave or a small nonstick saucepan.

Freeze- This is not recommended since milk can separate upon thawing.

More warm beverages

• Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate
• Homemade Gingerbread Latte
• Matcha Latte (Green Tea Latte)

Recipe