Mornings in India are incomplete without chai, a drink which is now very popular in the western world as well. Chai is a blend of milk, loose black tea leaves, water and lots of other spices. There’s a lot on spices that can go into the chai like cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds etc. however this one has only 2 – ginger and green cardamom. The tea flavored with these two are the most popular back home, commonly known as adrak wali chai (ginger tea) and elaichi chai (cardamom tea).
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to chai, the list is really long. Some like more milk in their chai, some do not like milk at all. Some prefer stronger chai while others would want very little tea flavor in their chai. Some would not like any spices in their chai while others would not drink it unless there are spices in it (like me!). So you see this recipe can also be adjusted according to preference and taste. If you want a stronger ginger flavor, add more ginger. If you like “milky chai”, add more milk and so on.
Ingredients1 cup water
? cup milk
1 teaspoon black loose tea leaves
¼ inch ginger grated
2 green cardamom
sugar to taste
Method
* Peel the cardamom and take out the seeds. Crush them using a mortar & pestle. Set aside.
* Heat water in a pan on medium flame.
* Add grated ginger & crushed cardamom seeds.
* Once the water is hot, add the milk and also the sugar.
* Let the milk & spices comes to a boil.
* Add the tea leaves and simmer for a minute or two. Simmer more for a stronger chai.