Masala Chai / Masala Tea powder Recipe

Masala Chai / Masala Tea

It is the onset of Monsoon Season in India . After the intense heat, this is the most awaited season and we Indians welcome it with much delight. The sweet earthy aroma we get after the first rain is just heart warming ! A steaming cup of Masala Chai with spicy crispy Pakoras is the sight in almost every house in India on a monsoon day.

 Regardless of any season, in India , many people begin their day with a flavoured tea beverage called Masala Chai . Masala tea is something which has a strong aroma and taste due to the spices used in it. It is made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs.

There is no fixed recipe for Masala Chai and many families  have their own versions of tea. The simplest traditional method of preparing Masala chai is  through decoction , by actively simmering or boiling a mixture of milk and water with loose leaf tea, sweeteners, and whole spices. The solid tea and spice residues are strained off from the Masala chai before serving.

This masala powder can be preserved and used as per requirement to flavour tea and can be used with warm milk also as a remedy in cold and sore throat.

One of my good friend in Penang , Kavi is a great fan of Masala Chai and I would like to dedicate this recipe to her.

Ingredients :

• Green Cardamoms - 10
• Black Peppercorns - 15
• Cloves - 8
• 1 inch stick Cinnamon (cut into small pieces)
• 1/2 Nutmeg grated
• 2 tsp Dry Ginger powder
• 1 tsp Fennel seeds
• Dry Basil leaves

Method:

1. Dry roast green cardamoms( with their skin), Peppercorns, Cloves and Cinnamon until aromatic. let it cool down.
2. Add grated Nutmeg, dry Ginger powder, Fennel seeds, dry Basil to the above roasted ingredients and grind to make a fine powder preferably in Mortar and Pestle . I have powdered it using grinder . let it cool down. You can sieve it, I haven't.
3. Store in a air tight container .
4. Use as per requirement.

  Notes:

• This masala powder can be preserved and used as per requirement not only to flavour tea but can be used with warm milk also as a remedy in cold and sore throat.