Masala Chai by Bob McBob
Recipe by: Bob_McBob Uploaded by Drimble Wedge
Here's my masala chai recipe made up from various sources. I've served it to Indian students I know who are surprised and tell me it's exactly how they remember it from home. I've also converted a few people who hate other "chai tea".
- 6 cups water
- 1.5 cups milk
- generous pinch of saffron
- stick of cinnamon (2" if rolled)
- 18 cloves
- 24 cardamoms
- 28 peppercorns
- 1 star anise
- 1" cube of fresh ginger
- 3tbsp loose assam tea
- 4tbsp jaggery or raw sugar/whatever to taste
Put the water on to boil. Roughly crush the cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle, and grate the ginger. Lightly crush the saffron and put it in the milk. Put the crushed spices, ginger, and star anise in the boiling water, reduce heat, and boil/simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the milk, bring to a boil, and add the jaggery. Boil for a couple of minutes, then add the tea, stir, and remove from the heat. Cover for a few minutes. Strain through a tea strainer to drink.
If you use white sugar, add it with the spices. If you use raw sugar, add it as directed. If you use honey, add it to the tea in the cup.
