Chai Tea

Visit our Tickets and Events Section Here

Chai is such an integral part of Indian culture that it is virtually impossible to avoid when traveling through any part of India. Chai, which is simply the word for tea in many Indian languages, is typically made using a rich black tea such as an Assam, and brewing it in heavy milk with honey and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and pepper. The spices used vary from region to region and among households in India.

The drink produces a warm soothing effect and it is hard to resist a second cup. There are many variations and recipes and the great thing about chai is you can adjust the milk, honey and spices to your personal taste. You can also make chai lattes, frozen drinks, shortbread, and much more. Here are a few of our favorite recipes...

Spiced Chai

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 ½ cups water
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 rounded teaspoons black tea such as Assam
• 2-3 thin slices fresh ginger root
• 3-5 whole cloves
• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 3-5 black peppercorns
• 2 cardamom pods – crushed

Directions:

1. Put 2 ½ cups water in a small pot with the sugar, cloves, ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and peppercorns.
2. Slowly bring to a boil over medium-low heat and simmer for a few minutes.
3. Add 2 rounded teaspoons of black tea, turn off heat, cover, and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add milk to the pot, turn the heat back on to medium-low and heat through.
5. Strain the tea into a teapot or tea cups and serve.

Vanilla Chai

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 3 cardamom pods
• 3 whole allspice
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1-inch vanilla bean
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 Tablespoon black tea such as Assam
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Put 4 cups water in a small pot with the cardamom, allspice, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean.
2. Slowly bring to a boil over medium-low heat and simmer for a few minutes.
3. Add 1 Tablespoon of black tea, turn off heat, cover, and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add milk to the pot, turn the heat back on to medium-low and heat through.
5. Add honey to taste.
6. Strain the tea into a teapot or tea cups and serve.

Chocolate Chai

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water
• 1 teaspoon black tea such as Assam
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 cups of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

1. Put 1/2 cup of water in a small pot with the sugar, cocoa, milk, vanilla, and spices.
2. Slowly bring to a boil over medium-low heat and simmer for a few minutes.
3. Add 1 teaspoon of black tea, turn off heat, cover, and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add milk to the pot, turn the heat back on to medium-low and heat through.
5. Strain the tea into a teapot or tea cups and serve.