How to prepare a traditional Chai

August 24, 2023

Chai's preparation

Chai is a spiced milk tea that originated from India and has since become popular worldwide. This aromatic drink combines the rich flavors of spices with the warmth of tea and milk, resulting in a comforting and invigorating beverage. Making traditional chai is a delightful ritual, and while there are many variations depending on personal preferences and regional differences, here's a basic recipe to get you started.

Ingredients for a house blend Chaï 

• 2 tea spoon of black tea leaves Bukhial or Organic African Sun
• ½ inch piece Fresh ginger, grated or thinly sliced
• 2-3 Green cardamom pods, crushed
• 2 cloves
• ½ cinnamon stick
• 2 - 3 black peppercorns (optional, for a spicier kick)
• ½ star anise (optional)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of milk (cow, soy or oat)
• Honey - to taste (usually 1-2 tea spoon)

How to prepare a traditional Chai

1. 
   Spices : Start by lightly crushing the cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns using a mortar and pestle. This releases the oils and flavors from the spices, making the chai more aromatic.
2. Boil water : In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
3. Add Spices : Once the water is boiling, add the ginger, crushed cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and star anise, if using.
   
4. Tea Leaves : Add the black tea leaves to the boiling water.
5. Simmer : Let it brew for 5-7 minutes.
6. Milk : Pour in the milk. Bring the mixture to a boil again, and then reduce the heat to let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes. The milk melds with the tea and spices, giving chai its characteristic creamy texture and taste.
7. Sweeten : Add honey to taste. Stirwell to ensure it's completely dissolved.
8. Strain : Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the chai into cups to remove the tea leaves and spices.
9. Serve : Chai is best enjoyed hot. 

Make life easier with our Chai

No time to prepare your own Chai? Here are our three Chai blends to try. For the preparation of these teas, simply follow the previous method omitting steps 1 and 3.

• Chaï cha noir
• Cachemire chai
• Chaï Rooibos

Tips and variations for your best chai 

1. For a stronger tea flavor, you can increase the brewing time or use more tea leaves.
2. Feel free to customize the spices according to your preference. Some people like to add fennel seeds or nutmeg for added depth.
3. The proportions of milk and water can be adjusted based on how creamy you like your chai. Some prefer a milkier chai, while others opt for a more watery version.
4. For a vegan version, replace dairy milk with soy or oat milk.

Whether you're starting your morning, taking a midday break, or settling in for the evening, chai provides a soothing experience. As you prepare it more often, you'll find your unique blend and ratio that suits your palate. Enjoy the process and the resulting cup of warmth!

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