Masala chai, a creamy, soothing South Asian beverage, is a heavenly combination of black tea, spices, sugar, and milk. You can customize the chai’s spices; Madhur’s recipe calls for a mix of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper, but feel free to experiment with other spices from your own cabinet. Masala chai is sweetened, and Madhur’s recipe uses one teaspoon of sugar per cup; double that amount for an even sweeter concoction. Jump to recipe.
Learn From the Best
What Is Masala Chai?
Masala chai (spiced tea) is a tea beverage with origins in the Indian subcontinent. Consisting of black tea, milk, a sweetener, and a range of aromatic spices, masala chai is integral to daily life in India. Though the word “chai” means tea, the drink is often referred to as "chai tea" or "chai latte" in the West, a nod to the steeping of the black tea and spices directly in the milk, which creates a texture similar to the steamed milk used to make an espresso-based latte.
Exact recipes for masala chai vary by household and location, with some calling for whole spices, and others preferring to use a ground spice blend, or a combination of both. This blend of spices is known as a karha, and in addition to ginger and cardamom, it may include everything from star anise and fennel seeds to cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and vanilla. Some blends may feature loose tea leaves, a granule-style tea known as Mamri.
Madhur Jaffrey’s Masala Chai Recipe
makes
prep time
0 mintotal time
11 mincook time
11 minIngredients
- 1
In a large pot, combine the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, about 10 good grinds of black pepper, the tea bags, and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- 2
Cover pot, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the chai for 10 minutes.
- 3
Remove the lid, and add the milk and sugar. Stir to combine, and continue to simmer for another minute or so.
- 4
Decant the tea through a fine-mesh strainer into a large teapot or individual cups, and serve.
Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Madhur Jaffrey, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, and more.
Food
Wine 101: What Is Barrel Aging? Understanding the Barrel Aging Process in Winemaking and the Difference Between Steel and Oak Barrels
Sep 2, 2022
Food
Simple Syrup Recipe: How to Make Simple Syrup for Cocktails
Sep 6, 2026
Food
Almond Meal vs. Almond Flour: What’s the Difference?
Sep 7, 2021
Food
What Is DOC and DOCG Wine? Differences Between DOC, DOCG, IGT, and VdT on Italian Wine Labels
Aug 10, 2021
Food
How to Cut Shiitake Mushrooms
Mar 25, 2022
Food
How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife: Method and Tips
Jan 4, 2022
Other articles
Claude Debussy: A Guide to Claude Debussy’s Life and Music
Jun 25, 2021
How to Play Basketball: Explore the Basics of Basketball
Jun 7, 2021
How to Write a Horror Story in 7 Steps
Dec 8, 2021
Daniel Pink’s ABC’s of Selling: Inside the 3 Key Sales Qualities
Dec 10, 2021
Heavy Metal Music Guide: A Dive Into Heavy Metal Music
Jul 15, 2021
Learn the Difference Between Phrases and Clauses
Aug 11, 2021