Masala Chai, An Indian Spice Tea, Invented in India!

Someday I'll get to India. I love the culture, food, and masala chai. (Adrianna)

If I had to name one of my favorite beverages, Masala Chai would make it to the top of my list. The blend of different spices infused into black tea with some milk and a pinch of sugar is absolute nirvana. I first discovered Masala Chai at a yoga ashram.  It was served in the dining area. I poured myself a cup of that masala chai and liked it immediately. I made up my mind that I would drink a cup of masala chai at least once a week and to this day I still drink Masala Chai frequently.

You can get a masala chai at an Indian cafe or restaurant for as low as one dollar, 89.43 INR a cup and other establishments charge up to five dollars, 446.74 INR for a cup of masala chai. When my boyfriend picked me up at the train station in Ann Arbor (having arrived from Washington DC) we had a four hour and thirty five minute drive ahead of us. I insisted that we stop at an Indian restaurant for some Indian food and Masala Chai. We ordered a vegetarian entree and garlic naan and we each got two cups of masala chai. Every sip of our masala chai was divine and it kept us alert and awake on our drive back home.

HISTORY OF MASALA CHAI:

About five thousand years ago Indian emperors sipped a brewed concoction of spices to stay alert with courtly affairs. The drink was caffeine free and used as an Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is a whole body holistic system of medicine that began in India centuries ago. Ayurveda takes a natural approach to aspects of health and well-being. Around 1835, black tea leaves were introduced by the British. The English people liked their black tea and one pound of tea per person per year was consumed by them. The first glimpse of masala chai made with black tea leaves occurred in India around the early part of the 20th century. The British owned India Tea Association promoted the caffeinated beverage to workers on their breaks. At the time tea was expensive for the average person so vendors began to use leftover tea leaves brewed with milk, sugar, and spices at a low cost. This was the creation of masala chai. The popularity of masala chai grew and people could get masala chai in railway stations across India.

Today masala chai is consumed by billions of people throughout the world and in India each region has their own variation of masala chai. The most popular drink in India is masala chai, and for good reason. It's a delicious tea that keeps you energized. Masala chai can be enjoyed with savory or sweet snacks. Masala chai can be served warm or cold. Take a break and enjoy a cup or two of Masala Chai, India's choice beverage.

A RECIPE FOR MASALA CHAI: Chai = Tea  Masala = Spice

fresh ginger

1 cardamom pod, crushed

1 tablespoon of cinnamon (ground cinnamon form)

1 whole clove, crushed

1 whole peppercorn, crushed

1 star anise, crushed

Lightly crush the whole spices, simmer the crushed spices with fresh pieces of ginger and ground cinnamon in one cup of water in a small pot for five minutes. Add the black tea, loose black tea steeped is best. Add your milk of choice, usually a quarter cup of milk (whole milk is the traditional milk) but these days plant milk has become popular. Heat the tea with milk a bit longer and than add about a teaspoon or two of good quality of sugar. 

For a spicier version of Masala Chai, add more crushed spices.

I'm so grateful for Masala Chai! It's an amazing beverage, created in incredible INDIA.