Fall Tea Inspiration: Self-Made Spiced Chai

Medi 19, 2021

With autumn arriving, it's time to ditch the cold drinks and warm-up with some herbal teas that help nourish and protect the body. We recommend brewing some Chai, which actually means tea in Hindi, that's why Masala Chai is often heard simultaneously with chai. Masala Chai is a mixed-spice tea brewed often with black tea and milk is added. 

A basic recipe  to start one's own spiced chai (based off of traditional Masala chai) is start with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamon, nutmeg and black pepper (preferably in that order of with larger to smaller amounts accordingly). Often, fennel, star anise, vanilla can be added along with black tea, milk, and honey for sweetening. The variations and other ingredients are as diverse as the Hindu culture, so the possibilities and preferences are up to you!

Cinnamon and ginger as well as the numerous other spices all have health benefits, especially for their warming and antibacterial benefits during the fall and winter seasons. We recommend bulk/loose leaf, organic/fairtrade, and fresh when available and possible for the consumer. 

Go-To Masala Chai Recipe

(for 4 cups/servings)

• 4 sticks / 4 heaping tbsp. of ground cinnamon**
• 1-2" piece of fresh ginger (grated or sliced) or 2 tbs. ground ginger
• 5 cardamon pods (slightly opened) or 2 tsp. of ground cardamon
• 5 clove pieces or 1 1/2 tsp. of clove powder
• 2-4 black peppercorns or less than a tsp. of black pepper
• 2 tbs. or bags of black tea (optional)
• 1 heaping tsp. of fennel seeds (optional)
• 1 pinch of ground vanilla (optional)
• Water (min. 3-5 cups)
• Milk, or milk alternatives (optional)
• Honey, sugar or other sweetner of choice 
• Tea Strainer

Add all spices to at least three cups of fresh cold water to boil. Three cups for those who want to add milk and/or have a more intense chai, and five cups for a lighter brew with or without milk. Once it begins to boil, cover and let spices simmer for at least 15 mins, but we recommend 30 mins to even a few hours at a low simmer. (If only boiling for 15 mins, re-adding water and boiling again for a second use is a great way to eco-nomize!) Turn off heat and let cool for a few minutes or add milk/milk alternatives right away to achieve the desired drinkable temperature. Don't forget to strain the tea and add some sweetner for a blissful, warming drink.  

If you like tea and sharing this past-time with friends, head on over to our shop and check-out our Espresso Cup Set—not just for coffee—for a loved-one or yourself. 

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