Chai tea is such a staple in India that you can get it on any corner. Think for a minute about where the nearest Starbucks is to you – in India, a chai tea stand would be closer. Americans drink coffee; Indians drink chai.
My husband lives on this stuff! He will drink at least two cups a day (sometimes more!). He first came to America (the Pacific Northwest) after we were married. Having never lived in a place that was less than 80 degrees he was in for a shock during his first winter here. Needless to say, he drank lots of chai tea to keep warm.
All the Indians I have ever known drink two cups of chai tea a day minimum – one in the morning and one in the “evening.” Indian “evening” is around 4 pm – more like a late, afternoon tea to me. Typical Indian snacks will accompany the evening chai (vada, biscuits, bajji…)
According to my husband, there is only one way to make it and the method is precise…
Real Indian Chai Tea
- 1/2 cup of whole milk
- 1/2 cup of water
- Indian tea dust
- cardamom, ginger (optional)
First, add the ½ cup of whole milk and the ½ cup of water to a pot. Bring to a slight boil and add 1 spoon of tea dust.
Bring to a second boil.
Filter. Add sugar to taste.
Adjust the amount of tea dust to make it stronger or weaker. Add some ginger pieces or crushed cardamom pods or a cinnamon stick for different flavors.
My husband says that the tea dust has to be this very special Indian tea dust:
Invite your friends over for some chai! Simple and easy!
