Chai masala powder makes it possible to brew a fragrant, sweet, and spicy cup of traditional Indian tea in a matter of minutes. Makes 1 cup and doubles as a recipe spice mix.
Break cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces. Weigh and measure whole spices into a bowl and stir them to mix.
Grind whole spices in batches in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Return the spice powder to the mixing bowl and stir in the powdered ginger.
Transfer spice powder to small jars for storage and seal them tightly.
Make tea
See full instructions in the recipe notes below.
Notes
IngredientsBuy fresh whole spices for a mix that's highly aromatic and flavorful. You can find whole spices in Indian and Asian markets in your neighborhood and at larger health food and grocery stores. Online specialty markets like The Spice House and The Spice Jungle offer quality products with helpful information. Pinch Spice Market supports organic farmers and fair trade practices.PreparationGrind masala in two or three batches for a uniform mixture.Leave a little texture in the mix. You want the powder fine enough to release natural oils in hot water but not so fine as to fall through a strainer and leave grit in your beverage.Use sparingly; I was surprised to find with repeated testing that ⅓ teaspoon of spice blend really is enough for one cup of tea.
Make tea:
Single-cup
1 ⅛ cups water
1 tablespoon loose black tea
⅓ teaspoon chai masala powder
⅔ cup rich plant-based milk
2-3 teaspoons sweetener of choice, optional
One-quart (950 ml) batch
3 cups water
3 tablespoons loose black tea
1 teaspoon chai masala powder
2 cups rich plant-based milk
3 tablespoons sweetener to taste, optional
Instructions
Bring your water, tea, and chai masala powder to a full boil.
Cover the pan, remove from heat, and let the tea steep for five minutes.
Strain the tea and return it to a clean saucepan.
Add milk, and bring the tea to a second boil.
Remove from heat and whisk chai vigorously.
Pour chai into cups and sweeten as desired.
Storing
Store chai masala powder in a tightly-sealed jar in a dry location out of direct sunlight for up to 3 months. It will be most potent for the first month.