Masala Chai, a spiced Indian tea, combines the bold flavour of black tea with a blend of aromatic spices to create a warm and comforting drink perfect for any time of day. It can be personalised to your taste by varying the amount of spice or sweetness. It’s perfect for a cosy morning or a relaxing afternoon tea break.
Ingredients:
- 8 green cardamom pods
- 5 cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star aniseed
- 1 1/2 cups water
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1″ fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (to taste)
Method of cooking:
Lightly crush the green cardamom pods, cloves, fennel seeds, black peppercorns and star anise with a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon to release their flavour.
Place the water, crushed spices, cinnamon stick and grated ginger in a medium saucepan.
Bring to the boil over medium heat.
When the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5 minutes. This will allow the spices to infuse the water with their flavours.
Add the black loose leaf tea to the simmering water and spices.
Continue to simmer for a further 2-3 minutes to allow the tea to infuse and blend with the spices.
Pour in the whole milk and add the granulated sugar. Stir well to combine.
Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, watching carefully to ensure it does not boil over.
When it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for a further 2-3 minutes. This will allow the flavours to meld and ensure the tea is well brewed.
Remove the pot from the heat. Strain the chai into cups through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the spices and tea leaves.
